Certain dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors

ABSTRACT

Provided are certain dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use therefor.

Provided are certain compounds and/or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof which can inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and may beuseful for the treatment of diabetes, such as type II diabetes, as wellas hyperglycemia, metabolic syndrome, hyperinsulinemia, obesity,cardiovascular diseases and disorders such as atherosclerosis,cerebrovascular diseases, diseases and disorders of the central nervoussystem including schizophrenia, anxiety, bipolar disease, depression,insomnia, cognitive disorders, gastrointestinal diseases and disorders,cancer, inflammation and inflammatory diseases, respiratory diseases anddisorders, musculoskeletal disorders, osteoporosis, menopausal symptomsand disorders, periodontal diseases such as gingivitis, and variousimmunomodulatory diseases.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV, CD26, EC 3.4.14.5) is a serine proteasewith specificity for cleaving Xaa-Pro and, to a lesser extent, Xaa-Aladipeptides from the N-termini of polypeptides and proteins. DPP-IV is anon-classical serine protease in that the catalytic triad ofSer-Asp-His, found in the C-terminal region of the enzyme, is in reverseorder to that found in classical serine proteases. DPP-IV is widelyexpressed in mammalian tissue as a type II integral membrane protein.DPP-IV is expressed on the surface of differentiated epithelial cells ofthe intestine, liver, kidney proximal tubules, prostate, corpus luteum,and on leukocyte subsets such as lymphocytes and macrophages. A solubleform of the enzyme is found in serum that has structure and functionidentical to the membrane-bound form of the enzyme but lacks thehydrophobic trans-membrane domain.

DPP-IV has many physiologically relevant substrates such as chemokines,RANTES (regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted),eotaxin, and macrophage-derived chemokine, neuropeptides such as NPY(neuropeptide Y) and substance P₅ vasoactive peptides, and incretinssuch as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (gastric inhibitorypeptide/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).

GLP-1 (7-36) is a 29 amino-acid peptide derived by post-translationalprocessing of proglucagon in the small intestine. GLP-1 (7-36) may havemultiple actions in vivo, for example, the stimulation of insulinsecretion, inhibition of glucagon secretion, the promotion of satiety,and the slowing of gastric emptying. Based on its physiological profile,the actions of GLP-1 (7-36) are believed to be beneficial in thetreatment of type II diabetes and potentially obesity. For example,exogenous administration of GLP-1 (7-36) (continuous infusion) indiabetic patients has been found to be efficacious in this patientpopulation. Unfortunately, GLP-1 (7-36) can be degraded rapidly in vivoand has been shown to have a short half-life in vivo (t_(1/2)=1.5minutes).

Based on a study of genetically bred DPP-IV knockout mice and on invivo/in vitro studies with selective DPP-IV inhibitors, DPP-IV has beenshown to be the primary degrading enzyme of GLP-1 (7-36) in vivo. GLP-1(7-36) can be degraded by DPP-IV efficiently to GLP-1 (9-36), which hasbeen speculated to act as a physiological antagonist to GLP-1 (7-36).Inhibiting DPP-IV in vivo is therefore believed to be useful forpotentiating endogenous levels of GLP-1 (7-36) and attenuating theformation of its antagonist GLP-1 (9-36). Thus, DPP-IV inhibitors arebelieved to be useful agents for the treatment of conditions mediated byDPP-IV, such as diabetes and further such as, type II diabetes mellitus,diabetic dislipidemia, conditions of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT),conditions of impaired fasting plasma glucose (IFG), metabolic acidosis,ketosis, appetite regulation and obesity.

The inhibition of DPP-IV can provide for an attractive therapeutictreatment for type II diabetes and obesity. Although DPP-IV inhibitorsmay have demonstrated improved glucose tolerance in type II diabetes,many suffer from having short half-life and toxicity. Therefore, thereis a need for new DPP-IV inhibitors that have at least one advantageousproperty selected from potency, stability, selectivity, toxicity andpharmacodynamics properties as an alternative for the treatment of typeII diabetes. In this regard, a novel class of DPP-IV inhibitors isprovided herein.

Provided is at least one compound of formula (I):

and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

R¹ is selected from:

-   -   C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl,    -   C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl-alkyl,    -   heterocyclyl,    -   heterocyclylalkyl    -   aryl,    -   arylalkyl,    -   heteroaryl, and    -   heteroarylalkyl,    -   wherein alkyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclyl are each        unsubstituted or substituted with at least one substituent, such        as one, two, three, or four substituents, independently selected        from R^(6a), and wherein aryl and heteroaryl are each        unsubstituted or independently substituted with at least one        substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6b);        R² is selected from:    -   hydrogen and    -   alkyl,    -   wherein each alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with at least        one substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6a);        R³ is selected from:    -   hydrogen,    -   halogen,    -   hydroxyl,    -   C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   C₂₋₄ alkenyl,    -   C₂₋₄ alkynyl,    -   C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl,    -   heterocyclyl,    -   C₃₋₇ cycloalkylalkyl,    -   heterocyclylalkyl,    -   aryl,    -   heteroaryl,    -   arylalkyl, and    -   heteroarylalkyl,    -   wherein alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclyl        are each unsubstituted or substituted with at least one        substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6a), and each aryl and heteroaryl        is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one substituent,        such as one, two, three, or four substituents, independently        selected from R^(6b);        R⁴ is selected from:    -   hydrogen, and    -   C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one        substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6a);        R⁵ is selected from:    -   hydrogen, and    -   C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one        substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6a);        or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen to which they are        attached form a heterocyclic ring; each R^(6a) is independently        selected from:    -   —OR⁸,    -   —NR⁷S(O)_(m)R⁸,    -   —NO₂,    -   halogen,    -   —S(O)_(m)R⁷,    -   —SR⁸,    -   —S(O)₂OR⁷,    -   —OS(O)₂R⁸,    -   —S(O)_(m)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷R⁸,    -   —O(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —C(O)R⁷,    -   —CO₂R⁸,    -   —CO₂(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)CONR⁷R⁸,    -   —OC(O)R⁷,    -   —CN,    -   —C(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)R⁸,    -   —OC(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)OR⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —CR⁷(N—OR⁸),    -   —CF₂,    -   —CF₃,    -   —OCF₂, and    -   —OCF₃,        each R^(6b) is independently selected from:    -   R^(6a),    -   C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   aryl,    -   arylC₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   heteroaryl, and    -   heteroarylC₁₋₄ alkyl;        R⁷ and R⁸ are independently selected from:    -   hydrogen,    -   C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl,    -   C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl,    -   cycloalkyl,    -   cycloalkyl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl;    -   heterocyclyl,    -   heterocyclyl —C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   aryl,    -   heteroaryl,    -   aryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl, and    -   heteroaryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   wherein alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclyl        are each unsubstituted or substituted with at least one        substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6a), and aryl and heteroaryl are        each unsubstituted or substituted with at least one substituent,        such as one, two, three, or four substituents, independently        selected from R^(6b); or        R⁷ and R⁸ together with the atom(s) to which they are attached        form a heterocyclic ring of 4 to 7 members containing 0, 1, or 2        additional heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen,        sulfur and NR¹¹,        each R⁷ and R⁸ may be unsubstituted or substituted on a carbon        or nitrogen atom with at least one substituent, such as one,        two, or three substituents, selected from R¹²;        R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀alkyl,        C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl,        heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl —C₁₋₁₀alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,        aryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl, and heteroaryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl; or        R⁹ and R¹⁰ together with the carbon to which they are attached        form a ring of 3 to 7 members containing 0, 1, or 2 heteroatoms        independently selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen; each        R¹¹ is independently selected from:    -   hydrogen,    -   C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl,    -   C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   heterocyclyl,    -   heterocyclyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   aryl,    -   aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   heteroaryl,    -   heteroaryl-C₁₋₄alkyl,    -   —S(O)_(m)R⁷,    -   —C(O)R⁷,    -   —CO₂R⁷,    -   —CO₂(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)CONR⁷R⁸, and    -   —C(O)NR⁷R⁸,        each R¹² is independently selected from:    -   halogen,    -   C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl,    -   C₃₋₈ cycloalkylalkyl,    -   heterocyclyl,    -   heterocyclylalkyl,    -   aryl,    -   arylC₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   heteroaryl,    -   heteroarylC₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   —OR⁷,    -   —NR⁷S(O)_(m)R⁸,    -   —S(O)_(m)R⁷,    -   —SR⁷,    -   —S(O)₂OR⁷,    -   —OS(O)₂R⁷,    -   —S(O)_(m)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷R⁸,    -   —O(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —C(O)R⁷,    -   —CO₂R⁸,    -   CO²(CR⁹R¹⁰)CONR⁷R⁸,    -   —OC(O)R⁷,    -   —CN,    -   —C(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)R⁸,    -   —OC(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)OR⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —CF₂,    -   —CF₃,    -   —OCF₂, and    -   —OCF₃;        L is a linker selected from:    -   —CR⁷R⁸—,    -   —O—,    -   NR⁷—,    -   —S—,    -   —SO—, and    -   —SO₂—;        m is selected from 1 and 2; and        n is selected from 1, 2, and 3.

Provided is a pharmaceutical composition, which comprises at least onecompound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofdescribed herein, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Provided is a method for treating a condition selected from insulinresistance, hyperglycemia, and Type II diabetes comprising administeringto a patient in recognized need thereof an effective amount of at leastone compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof described herein.

As used herein the following definitions are applicable.

The term “alkyl” refers to both branched and straight-chain saturatedaliphatic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbonatoms. Unless otherwise specified, “alkyl” refers to C₁-C₁₀ alkyl. Forexample, C₁-C₁₀, as in “C₁₋₁₀alkyl” is defined to include groups having1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbons in a linear or branchedarrangement. For example, “C₁₋₁₀ alkyl” includes but is not limited tomethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl,octyl, nonyl, and decyl.

The term “cycloalkyl” means a saturated aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbongroup having the specified number of carbon atoms. Unless otherwisespecified, “cycloalkyl” refers to C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl. For example,“cycloalkyl” includes but is not limited to cyclopropyl,methyl-cyclopropyl, 2,2-dimethyl-cyclobutyl, 2-ethyl-cyclopentyl, andcyclohexyl.

The term “alkenyl” refers to a non-aromatic hydrocarbon radical,straight, branched or cyclic, containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms andat least one carbon to carbon double bond. In some embodiments, onecarbon to carbon double bond is present, and up to four non-aromaticcarbon-carbon double bonds may be present. Thus, “C₂₋₆ alkenyl” means analkenyl radical having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Alkenyl groups includebut are not limited to ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, 2-methylbutenyl andcyclohexenyl. The straight, branched or cyclic portion of the alkenylgroup may contain double bonds and may be substituted if a substitutedalkenyl group is indicated.

The term “alkynyl” refers to a hydrocarbon radical straight, branched orcyclic, containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and at least one carbon tocarbon triple bond. In some embodiments, up to three carbon-carbontriple bonds may be present. Thus, “C₂₋₆ alkynyl” means an alkynylradical having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Alkynyl groups include but arenot limited to ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, and 3-methylbutynyl. Thestraight, branched or cyclic portion of the alkynyl group may containtriple bonds and may be substituted if a substituted alkynyl group isindicated.

The term “alkoxy” refers to either a cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group ofindicated number of carbon atoms attached through an oxygen bridge.“Alkoxy” therefore encompasses the definitions of alkyl and cycloalkylabove.

The term “aryl” encompasses:

-   -   5- and 6-membered carbocyclic aromatic rings, for example,        benzene;    -   bicyclic ring systems wherein at least one ring is carbocyclic        and aromatic, for example,    -   naphthalene, indane, and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline; and        tricyclic ring systems wherein at least one ring is carbocyclic        and aromatic, for example, fluorene. In cases where the aryl        substituent is bicyclic or tricyclic and at least one ring is        non-aromatic, it is understood that attachment is via the        aromatic ring.

For example, aryl includes 5- and 6-membered carbocyclic aromatic ringsfused to a 5- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring containing one or moreheteroatoms selected from N, O, and S, provided that the point ofattachment is at the carbocyclic aromatic ring. Bivalent radicals formedfrom substituted benzene derivatives and having the free valences atring atoms are named as substituted phenylene radicals. Bivalentradicals derived from univalent polycyclic hydrocarbon radicals whosenames end in “-yl” by removal of one hydrogen atom from the carbon atomwith the free valence are named by adding “-idene” to the name of thecorresponding univalent radical, e.g., a naphthyl group with two pointsof attachment is termed naphthylidene. Aryl, however, does not encompassor overlap in any way with heteroaryl, separately defined below. Hence,if one or more carbocyclic aromatic rings are fused with a heterocyclicaromatic ring, the resulting ring system is heteroaryl, not aryl, asdefined herein.

The term “halogen” (or “halo”) refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine andiodine.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to

-   -   5- to 8-membered aromatic, monocyclic rings containing one or        more, for example, from 1 to 4, or, in some embodiments, from 1        to 3, heteroatoms selected from N, O, and S, with the remaining        ring atoms being carbon;    -   8- to 12-membered bicyclic rings containing one or more, for        example, from 1 to 4, or, in some embodiments, from 1 to 3,        heteroatoms selected from N, O, and S, with the remaining ring        atoms being carbon and wherein at least one heteroatom is        present in an aromatic ring; and    -   11- to 14-membered tricyclic rings containing one or more, for        example, from 1 to 4, or in some embodiments, from 1 to 3,        heteroatoms selected from N, O, and S, with the remaining ring        atoms being carbon and wherein at least one heteroatom is        present in an aromatic ring.

When the total number of S and O atoms in the heteroaryl group exceeds1, those heteroatoms are not adjacent to one another. In someembodiments, the total number of S and O atoms in the heteroaryl groupis not more than 2. In some embodiments, the total number of S and Oatoms in the aromatic heterocycle is not more than 1.

Examples of heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, (asnumbered from the linkage position assigned priority 1), 2-pyridyl,3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2,3-pyrazinyl, 3,4-pyrazinyl, 2,4-pyrimidinyl,3,5-pyrimidinyl, 1-pyrazolyl, 2,3-pyrazolyl, 2,4-imidazolinyl,isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, thienyl,benzothienyl, furyl, benzofuryl, benzoimidazolinyl, indolinyl,pyridizinyl, triazolyl, quinolinyl, pyrazolyl, and5,6,7,8-tetrahydroisoquinoline.

Further heteroaryl groups include but are not limited to pyrrolyl,isothiazolyl, triazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, indolyl,benzotriazolyl, quinoxalinyl, and isoquinolinyl, As with the definitionof heterocycle below, “heteroaryl” is also understood to include theN-oxide derivative of any nitrogen-containing heteroaryl.

Bivalent radicals derived from univalent heteroaryl radicals whose namesend in “-yl” by removal of one hydrogen atom from the atom with the freevalence are named by adding “-idene” to the name of the correspondingunivalent radical, e.g., a pyridyl group with two points of attachmentis a pyridylidene. Heteroaryl does not encompass or overlap with aryl asdefined above.

In cases where the heteroaryl substituent is bicyclic or tricyclic andat least one ring is non-aromatic or contains no heteroatoms, it isunderstood that attachment is via the aromatic ring or via theheteroatom containing ring, respectively.

The term “heterocycle” (and variations thereof such as “heterocyclic”,or “heterocyclyl”) broadly refers to a single aliphatic ring, usuallywith 3 to 7 ring atoms, containing at least 2 carbon atoms in additionto 1-3 heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, sulfur, andnitrogen, as well as combinations comprising at least one of theforegoing heteroatoms. “Heterocycle” also refers to 5- to 7-memberedheterocyclic ring containing one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O,and S fused with 5- and 6-membered carbocyclic aromatic ring, providedthat the point of attachment is at the heterocyclic ring. The rings maybe saturated or have one or more double bonds (i.e. partiallyunsaturated). The heterocycle can be substituted by oxo. The point ofthe attachment may be carbon or heteroatom in the heterocyclic ring,provided that attachment results in the creation of a stable structure.When the heterocyclic ring has substituents, it is understood that thesubstituents may be attached to any atom in the ring, whether aheteroatom or a carbon atom, provided that a stable chemical structureresults. Heterocycle does not overlap with heteroaryl.

Suitable heterocycles include, for example (as numbered from the linkageposition assigned priority 1), 1-pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidinyl,2,4-imidazolidinyl, 2,3-pyrazolidinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl,3-piperidinyl, 4-piperidinyl, and 2,5-piperazinyl. Morpholinyl groupsare also contemplated, including 2-morpholinyl and 3-morpholinyl(numbered wherein the oxygen is assigned priority 1). Substitutedheterocycle also includes ring systems substituted with one or more oxomoieties, such as piperidinyl N-oxide, morpholinyl-N-oxide,1-oxo-1-thiomorpholinyl and 1,1-dioxo-1-thiomorpholinyl.

As used herein, “arylalkyl” refers to an alkyl moiety substituted by anaryl group. Example arylalkyl groups include benzyl, phenethyl, andnaphthylmethyl groups. In some embodiments, arylalkyl groups have from 7to 20 or 7 to 11 carbon atoms. When used in the phrase “arylC₁₋₄ alkyl”,the term “C₁₋₄” refers to the alkyl portion of the moiety and does notdescribe the number of atoms in the aryl portion of the moiety.Likewise, when used in the phrase “arylC₁₋₁₀alkyl”, the term “C₁₋₁₀”refers to the alkyl portion of the moiety and does not describe thenumber of atoms in the aryl portion of the moiety.

As used herein, “heterocyclylalkyl” refers to alkyl substituted byheterocyclyl. When used in the phrase “heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl”, the term“C₁₋₁₀” refers to the alkyl portion of the moiety and does not describethe number of atoms in the heterocyclyl portion of the moiety.

As used herein, “cycloalkylalkyl” refers to alkyl substituted bycycloalkyl. When used in the phrase “C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkylalkyl”, the term“C₃₋₁₀” refers to the cycloalkyl portion of the moiety and does notdescribe the number of atoms in the alkyl portion of the moiety. Whenused in the phrase “C₃₋₇ cycloalkylalkyl”, the term “C₃₋₇” refers to thecycloalkyl portion of the moiety and does not describe the number ofatoms in the alkyl portion of the moiety. When used in the phrase “C₃₋₈cycloalkylalkyl”, the term “C₃₋₈” refers to the cycloalkyl portion ofthe moiety and does not describe the number of atoms in the alkylportion of the moiety. When used in the phrase “cycloalkyl C₁₋₁₀alkyl”,the term “C₁₋₁₀” refers to the alkyl portion of the moiety and does notdescribe the number of atoms in the cycloalkyl portion of the moiety.

As used herein, “heteroarylalkyl” refers to alkyl substituted byheteroaryl. When used in the phrase “heteroaryl C₁₋₄ alkyl”, the term“C₁₋₄” refers to the alkyl portion of the moiety and does not describethe number of atoms in the heteroaryl portion of the moiety. Likewise,when used in the phrase “heteroaryl C₁₋₁₀alkyl”, the term “C₁₋₁₀” refersto the alkyl portion of the moiety and does not describe the number ofatoms in the heteroaryl portion of the moiety.

For avoidance of doubt, reference, for example, to substitution ofalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, and/or heteroaryl refers tosubstitution of each of those groups individually as well as tosubstitutions of combinations of those groups. That is, if R¹ isarylalkyl, the aryl portion may be unsubstituted or substituted with atleast one substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,independently selected from R^(6b) and the alkyl portion may also beunsubstituted or substituted with at least one substituent, such as one,two, three, or four substituens, independently selected from R^(6a).

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to salts preparedfrom pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases or acids includinginorganic or organic bases and inorganic or organic acids. Salts derivedfrom inorganic bases may be selected, for example, from aluminum,ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium,manganic, manganous, potassium, sodium, and zinc salts. Further, forexample, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts derived from inorganicbases may be selected from ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, andsodium salts. Salts in the solid form may exist in one or more crystalstructures, and may also be in the form of hydrates. Salts derived frompharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases may be selected, forexample, from salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines,substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines,cyclic amines, and basic ion exchange resins, such as arginine, betaine,caffeine, choline, N,N′-dibenzylethylene-diamine, diethylamine,2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine,ethylenediamine, N-ethyl-morpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine,glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine,methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins,procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, andtripropylamine, tromethamine.

When the compound disclosed herein is basic, salts may be prepared usingat least one pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acid, selected frominorganic and organic acids. Such acid may be selected, for example,from acetic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, citric,ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glutamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric,isethionic, lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic,nitric, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric,and p-toluenesulfonic acids. In some embodiments, such acid may beselected, for example, from citric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, maleic,phosphoric, sulfuric, fumaric, and tartaric acids.

The term “protecting group” or “Pg” refers to a substituent that can becommonly employed to block or protect a certain functionality whilereacting other functional groups on the compound. For example, an“amino-protecting group” is a substituent attached to an amino groupthat blocks or protects the amino functionality in the compound.Suitable amino-protecting groups include but are not limited to acetyl,trifluoroacetyl, t-butoxycarbonyl (BOC), benzyloxycarbonyl (CBZ) and9-fluorenylmethylenoxycarbonyl (Fmoc). Similarly, a “hydroxy-protectinggroup” refers to a substituent of a hydroxy group that blocks orprotects the hydroxy functionality. Suitable protecting groups includebut are not limited to acetyl and silyl. A “carboxy-protecting group”refers to a substituent of the carboxy group that blocks or protects thecarboxy functionality. Common carboxy-protecting groups include—CH₂CH₂SO₂Ph, cyanoethyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl,2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl, 2-(p-toluenesulfonyl)ethyl,2-(p-nitrophenylsulfenyl)ethyl, 2-(diphenylphosphino)-ethyl, nitroethyland the like. For a general description of protecting groups and theiruse, see T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, JohnWiley & Sons, New York, 1991.

The terms “administration of” and or “administering” at least onecompound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt should beunderstood to mean providing at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the individual in recognizedneed of treatment.

The term “effective amount” means the amount of the at least onecompound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt that willelicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal orhuman that is being sought by the researcher, veterinarian, medicaldoctor or other clinician.

The term “composition” as used herein is intended to encompass a productcomprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as wellas any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combinationof the specified ingredients in the specified amounts. Such term inrelation to a pharmaceutical composition is intended to encompass aproduct comprising the active ingredient (s), and the inert ingredient(s) that make up the carrier, as well as any product which results,directly or indirectly, from combination, complexation or aggregation ofany two or more of the ingredients, or from dissociation of one or moreof the ingredients, or from other types of reactions or interactions ofone or more of the ingredients.

By “pharmaceutically acceptable” it is meant compatible with the otheringredients of the formulation and not unacceptably deleterious to therecipient thereof.

Provided is at least one compound of formula (I):

and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

R¹ is selected from:

-   -   C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl,    -   C₃₋₁₀cloalkylalkyl,    -   heterocyclyl,    -   heterocyclylalkyl,    -   aryl,    -   arylalkyl,    -   heteroaryl, and    -   heteroarylalkyl,    -   wherein alkyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclyl are each        unsubstituted or substituted with at least one substituent, such        as one, two, three, or four substituents, independently selected        from R^(6a), and wherein aryl and heteroaryl are each        unsubstituted or independently substituted with at least one        substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6b);        R² is selected from:    -   hydrogen and    -   alkyl,    -   wherein each alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with at least        one substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6a);        R³ is selected from:    -   hydrogen,    -   halogen,    -   hydroxyl,    -   C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   C₂₋₄ alkenyl,    -   C₂₋₄ alkynyl,    -   C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl,    -   heterocyclyl,    -   C₃₋₇ cycloalkylalkyl,    -   heterocyclylalkyl,    -   aryl,    -   heteroaryl,    -   arylalkyl, and    -   heteroarylalkyl,    -   wherein alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclyl        are each unsubstituted or substituted with at least one        substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6a), and each aryl and heteroaryl        is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one substituent,        such as one, two, three, or four substituents, independently        selected from R^(6b);        R⁴ is selected from:    -   hydrogen, and    -   C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one        substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6a);        R⁵ is selected from:    -   hydrogen, and    -   C₁₋₄alkyl,    -   wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one        substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6a);        or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen to which they are        attached form a heterocyclic ring;        each R^(6a) is independently selected from:    -   —OR⁸,    -   NR⁷S(O)_(m)R⁸,    -   —NO₂,    -   halogen,    -   —S(O)_(m)R⁷,    -   —SR⁸,    -   —S(O)₂OR⁷,    -   —OS(O)₂R⁸,    -   —S(O)_(m)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷R⁸,    -   —(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —C(O)R⁷,    -   —CO₂R⁸,    -   CO₂(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)CONR⁷R⁸,    -   —OC(O)R⁷,    -   —CN,    -   —C(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)R⁸,    -   —OC(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)OR⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —CR⁷(N—OR⁸),    -   —CF₂,    -   —CF₃,    -   —OCF₂, and    -   —OCF₃,        each R^(6b) is independently selected from:    -   R^(6a),    -   C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   aryl,    -   aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   heteroaryl, and    -   heteroaryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl;        R⁷ and R⁸ are independently selected from:    -   hydrogen,    -   C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl,    -   C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl,    -   cycloalkyl,    -   cycloalkyl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl;    -   heterocyclyl,    -   heterocyclyl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   aryl,    -   heteroaryl,    -   aryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl, and    -   heteroaryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   wherein alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclyl        are each unsubstituted or substituted with at least one        substituent, such as one, two, three, or four substituents,        independently selected from R^(6a), and each aryl and heteroaryl        are unsubstituted or substituted with at least one substituent,        such as one, two, three, or four substituents, independently        selected from R^(6b); or        R⁷ and R⁸ together with the atom(s) to which they are attached        form a heterocyclic ring of 4 to 7 members containing 0, 1, or 2        additional heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen,        sulfur and NR¹¹,        each R⁷ and R⁸ may be unsubstituted or substituted on a carbon        or nitrogen atom with at least one substituent, such as one,        two, or three substituents, selected from R¹²;        R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀        alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, cycloalkyl,        cycloalkyl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl,        aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl, and heteroaryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl; or        R⁹ and R¹⁰ together with the carbon to which they are attached        form a ring of 3 to 7 members containing 0, 1, or 2 heteroatoms        independently selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen;        each R¹¹ is independently selected from:    -   hydrogen,    -   C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl,    -   C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   heterocyclyl,    -   heterocyclyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   aryl,    -   aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   heteroaryl,    -   heteroaryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   —C(O)R⁷,    -   —CO₂R⁷,    -   —CO₂(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)CONR⁷R⁸, and    -   —C(O)NR⁷R⁸;        each R¹² is independently selected from:    -   halogen,    -   C₁₋₁₀alkyl,    -   C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl,    -   C₃₋₈ cycloalkylalkyl,    -   heterocyclyl,    -   heterocyclylalkyl,    -   aryl,    -   aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   heteroaryl,    -   heteroaryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl,    -   —OR⁷,    -   —NR⁷S(O)_(m)R⁸,    -   —S(O)_(m)R⁷,    -   —SR⁷,    -   —S(O)₂OR⁷,    -   —OS(O)₂R⁷,    -   —S(O)_(n)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷R⁸,    -   —O(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —C(O)R⁷,    -   —CO₂R⁸,    -   —O²(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)CONR⁷R⁸,    -   —OC(O)R⁷,    -   —CN,    -   —C(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)R⁸,    -   —OC(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)OR⁸,    -   —NR⁷C(O)NR⁷R⁸,    -   —CF₂,    -   —CF₃,    -   OCF₂, and    -   —OCF₃;        L is a linker selected from:    -   —CR⁷R⁸—,    -   —O—,    -   —NR⁷    -   —S—,    -   —SO—, and    -   —SO₂—;        m is selected from 1 and 2; and        n is selected from 1, 2, and 3.

In some embodiments, L is —CR⁷R⁸—.

In some embodiments, at least one of R⁷ and R⁸ is hydrogen.

In some embodiments, each of R⁷ and R⁸ is hydrogen.

In some embodiments, R² is alkyl.

In some embodiments, R² is methyl.

In some embodiments, R¹ is aryl unsubstituted or substituted with atleast one substituent independently selected from R^(6b).

In some embodiments, R¹ is phenyl unsubstituted or substituted with atleast one substituent independently selected from R^(6b).

In some embodiments, R¹ is phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted with atleast one substituent selected from halogen and cyano.

In some embodiments, R¹ is selected from 2-cyanophenyl,2-chloro-5-fluorophenyl, 2-cyano-5-fluorophenyl, and2-bromo-5-fluorophenyl.

In some embodiments, R³ is hydrogen.

In some embodiments, R⁴ is hydrogen.

In some embodiments, R⁵ is hydrogen.

Also provided is least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, selected from

-   (R)-2-((3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)benzonitrile;-   (R)-3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one;-   (R)-2-((3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)-4-fluorobenzonitrile;-   (R)-3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one,    and    pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Also provided is a method of treating a condition responsive toinhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme comprising administering toa patient in recognized need thereof an effective amount of the at leastone compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltdescribed herein.

Also provided is a method of treating a condition selected from insulinresistance, hyperglycemia, and Type II diabetes comprising administeringto a patient in recognized need thereof an effective amount of the atleast one compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, the at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein can be usefulin a method of inhibiting the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme in apatient such as a mammal in recognized need of such inhibitioncomprising the administration of an effective amount of the at least onecompound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt describedherein. Also provided is the use of the at least one compound and/or atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein asinhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme activity.

In addition to primates, such as humans, a variety of other mammals canbe treated according to the methods described herein. For instance,mammals including, but not limited to, cows, sheep, goats, horses, dogs,cats, guinea pigs, rats or other bovine, ovine, equine, canine, feline,rodent or murine species can be treated. However, the method can also bepracticed in other species, such as avian species (e.g., chickens).

Also provided is a composition comprising the at least one compoundand/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt described hereinand at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Also provided is a method for the manufacture of a medicament forinhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme activity in humans and animalscomprising combining at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt described herein with at least onepharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In some embodiments, the patient is a mammal, such as a human being,male or female, in whom inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzymeactivity is desired.

Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions described herein encompassany composition made by admixing at least one compound of formula (I)and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme (DPP-IV) is a cell surface protein thathas been implicated in a wide range of biological functions. It has abroad tissue distribution (intestine, kidney, liver, pancreas, placenta,thymus, spleen, epithelial cells, vascular endothelium, lymphoid andmyeloid cells, serum), and distinct tissue and cell-type expressionlevels. DPP-IV is identical to the T cell activation marker CD26, and itcan cleave a number of immunoregulatory, endocrine, and neurologicalpeptides in vitro. This has suggested a potential role for thispeptidase in a variety of disease processes in humans or other species.

Accordingly, the compounds and/or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsdescribed herein can be useful in a method for the treatment of thefollowing diseases, disorders and conditions.

Type II Diabetes and Related Disorders: It is well established that theincretins GLP-1 and GIP are rapidly inactivated in vivo by DPP-IV.Studies with DPP-IV^((−/−))-deficient mice and preliminary clinicaltrials indicate that DPP-IV inhibition increases the steady stateconcentrations of GLP-1 and GIP, resulting, in improved glucosetolerance. By analogy to GLP-1 and GIP, it is likely that other glucagonfamily peptides involved in glucose regulation are also inactivated byDPP-IV (eg. PACAP). Inactivation of these peptides by DPP-IV may alsoplay a role in glucose homeostasis.

DPP-IV inhibitors described herein therefore may have utility in thetreatment of type II diabetes and in the treatment of the numerousconditions that often accompany Type II diabetes, including but beingnot limited to Syndrome X (also known as Metabolic Syndrome), reactivehypoglycemia, and diabetic dyslipidemia. Obesity, discussed below, isanother condition that can be often found with Type II diabetes that mayrespond to treatment with the DPP-IV inhibitors described herein.

The compounds and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts described hereinmay have utility in treating one or more of the following conditions ordiseases: (1) hyperglycemia, (2) low glucose tolerance, (3) insulinresistance, (4) obesity, (5) lipid disorders, (6) dyslipidemia, (7)hyperlipidemia, (8) hypertriglyceridemia, (9) hypercholesterolemia, (10)low HDL levels, (11) high LDL levels, (12) atherosclerosis and itssequelae, (13) vascular restenosis, (14) irritable bowel syndrome, (15)inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerativecolitis, (16) other inflammatory conditions, (17) pancreatitis, (18)abdominal obesity, (19) neurodegenerative disease, (20) retinopathy,(21) nephropathy, (22) neuropathy, (23) Syndrome X, (24) ovarianhyperandrogenism (polycystic ovarian syndrome), (25) Type II diabetes,(26) growth hormone deficiency, (27) neutropenia, (28) neuronaldisorders, (29) tumor metastasis, (30) benign prostatic hypertrophy,(32) gingivitis, (33) hypertension, (34) osteoporosis, and otherconditions that may be treated by inhibition of DPP-IV.

Obesity: DPP-IV inhibitors described herein may be useful for thetreatment of obesity. This is based on the observed inhibitory effectson food intake and gastric emptying of GLP-1 and GLP-2.

Exogenous administration of GLP-1 in humans significantly decreases foodintake and slows gastric emptying (Am. J. Physio., 277: R910-R916(1999)). ICV administration of GLP-1 in rats and mice also has profoundeffects on food intake (Nature Medicine, 2: 1254-1258 (1996)).

This inhibition of feeding is not observed in GLP-1R^((−/−)) mice,indicating that these effects may be mediated through brain GLP-1receptors. By analogy to GLP-1, it is likely that GLP-2 can be alsoregulated by DPP-IV. Icy administration of GLP-2 may also inhibit foodintake, analogous to the effects observed with GLP-1 (Nature Medicine,6: 802-807 (2000)). In addition, studies with DPP-IV deficient mice maysuggest that these animals are resistant to diet-induced obesity andassociated pathology (e.g. hyperinsulinonemia).

Growth Hormone Deficiency: DPP-IV inhibition may be useful for thetreatment of growth hormone deficiency, based on the hypothesis thatgrowth-hormone releasing factor (GRF), a peptide that stimulates releaseof growth hormone from the anterior pituitary, is cleaved by the DPP-IVenzyme in vivo (WO 00/56297). The following data may provide evidencethat GRF can be an endogenous substrate: (1) GRF is efficiently cleavedin vitro to generate the inactive product GRF [3-44] (BBA 1122: 147-153(1992)); (2) GRF is rapidly degraded in plasma to GRF [3-44]; this isprevented by the DPP-IV inhibitor diprotin A; and (3) GRF [3-44] isfound in the plasma of a human GRF transgenic pig (J. Clin. Invest., 83:1533-1540 (1989)). Thus DPP-IV inhibitors may be useful for the samespectrum of indications which have been considered for growth hormonesecretagogues.

Intestinal Injury: The potential for using DPP-IV inhibitors for thetreatment of intestinal injury can be suggested by the results ofstudies indicating that glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), a likelyendogenous substrate for DPP-IV, may exhibit trophic effects on theintestinal epithelium (Regulatory Peptides. 90: 27-32 (2000)).Administration of GLP-2 results in increased small bowel mass in rodentsand attenuates intestinal injury in rodent models of colitis andenteritis.

Immunosuppression: DPP-IV inhibition may be useful for modulation of theimmune response, based upon studies implicating the DPP-IV enzyme in Tcell activation and in chemokine processing, and efficacy of DPP-IVinhibitors in in vivo models of disease. DPP-IV has been shown to beidentical to CD26, a cell surface marker for activated immune cells. Theexpression of CD26 can be regulated by the differentiation andactivation status of immune cells. It is for example accepted that CD26functions as a co-stimulatory molecule in in vitro models of T cellactivation. A number of chemokines contain proline in the penultimateposition, presumably to protect them from degradation by non-specificaminopeptidases. Many of these have been shown to be processed in vitroby DPP-IV. In several cases (RANTES, LD78-beta, MDC, eotaxin, SDF-1alpha), cleavage can result in an altered activity in chemotaxis andsignaling assays.

Receptor selectivity also appears to be modified in some cases (RANTES).Multiple N-terminally truncated forms of a number of chemokines havebeen identified in in vitro cell culture systems, including thepredicted products of DPP-IV hydrolysis.

DPP-IV inhibitors have been shown to be efficacious immunosuppressantsin animal models of transplantation and arthritis. Prodipine(Pro-Pro-diphenyl-phosphonate), an irreversible inhibitor of DPP-IV, wasshown to double cardiac allograft survival in rats from day 7 to day 14(Transplantation, 63: 1495-1500 (1997)). DPP-IV inhibitors have beentested in collagen and alkyldiamine-induced arthritis in rats and showeda statistically significant attenuation of hind paw swelling in thismodel [Int. J. Immunopharmacology, 19: 15-24 (1997) andImmunopharmacology, 40: 21-26 (1998)]. DPP-IV is upregulated in a numberof autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, multiplesclerosis, Graves' disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (ImmunologyToday, 20: 367-375 (1999)).

HIV Infection: DPP-IV inhibition may be useful for the treatment of EGVinfection or AIDS because a number of chemokines which inhibit HIV cellentry are potential substrates for DPP-IV (Immunology Today 20: 367-375(1999)). In the case of SDF-1 alpha, cleavage decreases antiviralactivity (PNAS, 95: 6331-6 (1998)). Thus, stabilization of SDF-1 alphathrough inhibition of DPP-IV would be expected to decrease HTVinfectivity.

Hematopoiesis: DPP-IV inhibition may be useful for the treatment ofhematopiesis because DPP-IV may be involved in hematopoiesis. A DPP-IVinhibitor, Val-Boro-Pro, stimulated hematopoiesis in a mouse model ofcyclophosphamide-induced neutropenia (WO 99/56753).

Neuronal Disorders: DPP-IV inhibition may be useful for the treatment ofvarious neuronal or psychiatric disorders because a number of peptidesimplicated in a variety of neuronal processes are cleaved in vitro byDPP-IV. A DPP-IV inhibitor thus may have a therapeutic benefit in thetreatment of neuronal disorders. Endomorphin-2, beta-casomorphin, andsubstance P have all been shown to be in vitro substrates for DPP-IV. Inan electric shock jump test model of analgesia in rats, a DPP-IVinhibitor showed a significant effect that was independent of thepresence of exogenous endomorphin-2 (Brain Research, 815: 278-286(1999)). Neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects of DPP-IVinhibitors were also evidenced by the inhibitors' ability to protectmotor neurons from excitotoxic cell death, to protect striatalinnervation of dopaminergic neurons when administered concurrently withMPTP, and to promote recovery of striatal innervation density when givenin a therapeutic manner following MPTP treatment [see Yong-Q. Wu, etal., “Neuroprotective Effects of Inhibitors of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IVin vitro and in vivo,” Int. Conf. On Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidases: BasicScience and Clinical Applications, Sep. 26-29, 2002 (Berlin, Germany)].

Anxiety rats naturally deficient in DPP-IV have an anxiolytic phenotype(WO 02/34243; Karl et al., Physiol. Behay. 2003). DPP-IV deficient micealso have an anxiolytic phenotype using the Porsolt and light/darkmodels. Thus DPP-IV inhibitors described herein may prove useful fortreating anxiety and related disorders.

Memory and Cognition. GLP-1 agonists can be active in models of learning(passive avoidance, Morris water maze) and neuronal injury(kainate-induced neuronal apoptosis) as demonstrated by During et al.(Nature Med. 9: 1173-1179 (2003)). The results may suggest aphysiological role for GLP-1 in learning and neuroprotection.Stabilization of GLP-1 by DPP-IV inhibitors are expected to show similareffects.

Tumor Invasion and Metastasis: DPP-IV inhibition may be useful for thetreatment of tumor invasion and metastasis because an increase ordecrease in expression of several ectopeptidases including DPP-IV hasbeen observed during the transformation of normal cells to a malignantphenotype (J. Exp. Med., 190: 301-305 (1999)). Up- or down-regulation ofthese proteins appears to be tissue and cell-type specific. For example,increased CD26/DPP-IV expression has been observed on T cell lymphoma, Tcell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, cell-derived thyroid carcinomas,basal cell carcinomas, and breast carcinomas. Thus, DPP-IV inhibitorsmay have utility in the treatment of such carcinomas.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy: DPP-IV inhibition may be useful for thetreatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy because increased DPP-IVactivity was noted in prostate tissue from patients with BPH (Eur. J.Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem., 30: 333-338 (1992)).

Sperm motility/male contraception: DPP-IV inhibition may be useful forthe altering sperm motility and for male contraception because inseminal fluid, prostatosomes, which are prostate derived organellesimportant for sperm motility, possess very high levels of DPP-IVactivity (Eur. J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem., 30: 333-338 (1992)).

Gingivitis: DPP-IV inhibition may be useful for the treatment ofgingivitis because DPP-IV activity was found in gingival crevicularfluid and in some studies correlated with periodontal disease severity(Arch. Oral Biol., 37: 167-173 (1992)).

Osteoporosis: DPP-IV inhibition may be useful for the treatment ofosteoporosis because GIP receptors are present in osteoblasts.

The compounds and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof describedherein may be further useful in a method for the treatment of theaforementioned diseases, disorders and conditions in combination withother agents.

The compounds and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof describedherein may be used in combination with one or more other drugs in thetreatment of diseases or conditions for which compounds of Formula Iand/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof or the other drugs mayhave utility, particularly where the combination of the drugs togetherare safer or more effective than either drug alone. Such other drug (s)may be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly usedtherefore, contemporaneously or sequentially with at least one compoundof Formula I and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof. When at least one compound of Formula I and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is used contemporaneously withone or more other drugs, a pharmaceutical composition in unit dosageform containing such at least one drug and the at least one compound ofFormula I and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofmay be desired. However, the combination therapy may also includetherapies in which the at least one compound of Formula I and/or atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and one or more otherdrugs are administered on different overlapping schedules. It is alsocontemplated that when used in combination with one or more other activeingredients, the compound(s) described herein and the other activeingredients may be used in lower doses than when each is used singly.Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions described herein includebut are not limited to those that contain one or more other activeingredients, in addition to at least one compound of Formula I and/or atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Examples of other active ingredients that may be administered incombination with at least one compound of Formula I and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and either administeredseparately or in the same pharmaceutical composition, include, but arenot limited to: (a) other dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors;(b) insulin sensitizers including (i) PPARγ agonists such as theglitazones (e. g., troglitazone, pioglitazone, englitazone, MCC-555,rosiglitazone, balaglitazone, and the like) and other PPAR ligands,including PPARα/γ dual agonists, such as KRP-297 and muraglitazar, andPPARα agonists such as fenofibric acid derivatives (e.g., gemfibrozil,clofibrate, fenofibrate and bezafibrate), (ii) biguanides such asmetformin and phenformin, and (iii) protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B(PTP-1B) inhibitors; (c) insulin or insulin mimetics; (d) sulfonylureasand other insulin secretagogues, such as tolbutamide glyburide,glipizide, glimepiride, and meglitinides, such as nateglinide andrepaglinide; (e) α-glucosidase inhibitors (such as acarbose andmiglitol); (f) glucagon receptor antagonists such as those described inWO 98/04528, WO 99/01423, WO 00/39088, and WO 00/69810; (g) GLP-1, GLP-1mimetics, such as Exendin 4, and liraglutide, and GLP-1 receptoragonists such as those described in WO 00/42026 and WO 00/59887; (h) GIPand GIP mimetics such as those described in WO 00/58360, and GIPreceptor agonists; (i) PACAP, PACAP mimetics, and PACAP receptoragonists such as those described in WO 01/23420; (j) cholesterollowering agents such as (i) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g.,lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin,atorvastatin, itavastatin, and rosuvastatin and other statins, as wellas appropriate salts thereof), (ii) sequestrants (e.g., cholestyramine,colestipol, and dialkylaminoalkyl derivatives of a cross-linkeddextran), (iii) nicotinyl alcohol, nicotinic acid or a salt thereof,(iv) PPARα agonists such as fenofibric acid derivatives (e.g.,gemfibrozil, clofibrate, fenofibrate and bezafibrate), (v) PPARα/γ dualagonists, such as KRP-297, (vi) inhibitors of cholesterol absorption,such as β-sitosterol and ezetimibe, (vii) acyl-CoA: cholesterolacyltransferase inhibitors, such as avasimibe, and (viii) anti-oxidants,such as probucol; (k) PPARδ agonists, such as those described in WO97/28149; (1) antiobesity compounds such as fenfluramine,dexfenfluramine, phentermine, sibutramine, orlistat, neuropeptide Y1 orY5 antagonists, CB1 receptor inverse agonists and antagonists,adrenergic receptor agonists, melanocortin-receptor agonists, forexample, melanocortin-4 receptor agonists, ghrelin antagonists, andmelanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) receptor antagonists; (m) ileal bileacid transporter inhibitors; (n) agents intended for use in inflammatoryconditions such as aspirin, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,such as ibuprofen, glucocorticoids, azulfidine, and selectivecyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors; (O) antihypertensive agents such as ACEinhibitors (e.g., enalapril, lisinopril, captopril, quinapril,tandolapril), A-II receptor blockers (e.g., losartan, candesartan,irbesartan, valsartan, telmisartan, eprosartan), beta blockers andcalcium channel blockers; and (p) glucokinase activators (GKAs).

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors that can be combined with at leastone compound of formula I and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof include but are not limited to those describedin WO 03/004498; WO 03/004496; EP 1 258 476; WO 02/083128; WO 02/062764;WO 03/000250; WO 03/002530; WO 03/002531; WO 03/002553; WO 03/002593; WO03/000180; and WO 03/000181. Exemplary mention can be made of DPP-IVinhibitor compounds such as isoleucine thiazolidide; MK-0431 andSYR-322.

Antiobesity compounds that can be combined with at least one compound offormula I and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofinclude but are not limited to fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine,phentermine, sibutramine, orlistat, neuropeptide Y1 or Y5 antagonists,cannabinoid CB 1 receptor antagonists or inverse agonists, melanocortinreceptor agonists, for example, melanocortin-4 receptor agonists,ghrelin antagonists, and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) receptorantagonists. For a review of anti-obesity compounds that can be combinedwith compounds of structural formula I, see S. Chaki et al., “Recentadvances in feeding suppressing agents: potential therapeutic strategyfor the treatment of obesity, “Expert Opin. Ther. Patents, 11: 1677-1692(2001) and D. Spanswick and K. Lee, “Emerging antiobesity drugs, “ExpertOpin. Emerging Drugs, 8: 217-237 (2003).

Neuropeptide Y5 antagonists that can be combined with at least onecompound of formula I and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof include but are not limited to those described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,335,345 and WO 01/14376; and exemplary mention can be made of GW59884A; GW 569180A; LY366377; and CGP-71683A.

Cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists that can be combined with at leastone compound of formula I and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof include but are not limited to those describedin PCT Publication WO 03/007887; U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,941, such asrimonabant; PCT Publication WO 02/076949, such as SLV-319; U.S. Pat. No.6,028,084; PCT Publication WO 98/41519; PCT Publication WO 00/10968; PCTPublication WO 99/02499; U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,237; and U.S. Pat. No.5,292,736.

Melanocortin receptor agonists that can be combined with at least onecompound of formula I and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof include but are not limited to those described in WO03/009847; WO 02/068388; WO 99/64002; WO 00/74679; WO 01/70708; and WO01/70337 as well as those described in J. D. Speake et al., “Recentadvances in the development of melanocortin-4 receptor agonists, “ExpertOpin. Ther. Patents, 12: 1631-1638 (2002).

The potential utility of safe and effective activators of glucokinase(GKAs) for the treatment of diabetes is discussed in J. Grimsby et al.,“Allosteric Activators of Glucokinase: Potential Role in DiabetesTherapy, “Science, 301: 370-373 (2003).

When at least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof described herein is used contemporaneously withone or more other drugs, in some embodiments, a pharmaceuticalcomposition containing such at least one other drug in addition to theat least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof described herein is used. Accordingly, the pharmaceuticalcompositions described herein include but are not limited to those thatalso contain one or more other active ingredients, in addition to atleast one compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof described herein.

The weight ratio of the at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein to the atleast one second active ingredient may be varied and will depend uponthe effective dose of each ingredient. For example, an effective dose ofeach will be used. Thus, for example, when at least one compound and/orat least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described hereinis combined with at least one another agent, the weight ratio of the atleast one compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof to the at least one another agent will for example range from1000:1 to 1:1000, such as from 200:1 to 1:200. Combinations of at leastone compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof described herein and other active ingredients will for examplealso be within the aforementioned range, but in each case, an effectivedose of each active ingredient should be used.

In such combinations the at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein and otheractive agents may be administered separately or in conjunction. Inaddition, the administration of one element may be prior to, concurrentto, or subsequent to the administration of other agent(s).

The at least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof described herein may be administered by oral,parenteral (e.g., intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, ICV,intracisternal injection or infusion, subcutaneous injection, orimplant), by inhalation spray, nasal, vaginal, rectal, sublingual, ortopical routes of administration and may be formulated, alone ortogether, in suitable dosage unit formulations containing conventionalnon-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehiclesappropriate for each route of administration. In addition to thetreatment of warm-blooded animals such as mice, rats, horses, cattle,sheep, dogs, cats, monkeys, etc., the at least one compound and/or atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein maybe effective for use in humans.

The pharmaceutical compositions for the administration of the at leastone compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof described herein may conveniently be presented in dosage unitform and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art ofpharmacy. In some embodiments, the at least one compound and/or at leastone pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein is broughtinto association with the carrier which constitutes one or moreaccessory ingredients.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions are prepared byuniformly and intimately bringing the at least one compound and/or atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein intoassociation with a liquid carrier or a finely divided solid carrier orboth, and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desiredformulation. In some embodiments, the at least one compound and/or atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein isincluded in an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect upon theprocess or condition of diseases.

The pharmaceutical compositions containing the at least one compoundand/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof describedherein may be in a form suitable for oral use, for example, as tablets,troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders orgranules, emulsions, hard or soft capsules, or syrups or elixirs.

Compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to anymethod known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceuticalcompositions and such compositions may contain one or more agentsselected from sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents andpreserving agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant andpalatable preparations. Tablets contain the active ingredient inadmixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients whichare suitable for the manufacture of tablets. These excipients may be forexample, inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate,lactose, calcium phosphate, and sodium phosphate; granulating anddisintegrating agents, for example, corn starch, and alginic acid;binding agents, for example starch, gelatin, and acacia, and lubricatingagents, for example magnesium stearate, stearic acid, and talc. Thetablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques todelay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract andthereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, atime delay material, such as glyceryl monostearate and glyceryldistearate may be employed. They may also be coated by the techniquesdescribed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,256,108; 4,166,452; and 4,265,874 toform osmotic therapeutic tablets for controlled, such as sustained ordelayed, release.

Formulations for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsuleswherein the at least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof described herein is mixed with an inert soliddiluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and/orkaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the at least one compoundand/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof describedherein is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example peanut oil,liquid paraffin, and/or olive oil.

Salts, such as sodium salts, of the DPP-IV inhibitors described hereinmay be prepared with carriers that protect the at least one compoundand/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof describedherein against rapid elimination from the body, such as time releaseformulations or coatings. The formulations may further include otheractive compounds to obtain desired combinations of properties.

Oral pharmaceutical dosage forms may be solid, gel or liquid. Examplesof solid dosage forms include, but are not limited to, tablets,capsules, granules, and bulk powders. More specific examples of oraltablets include compressed, chewable lozenges and tablets that may beenteric-coated, sugar-coated or film-coated. Examples of capsulesinclude hard or soft gelatin capsules. Granules and powders may beprovided in non-effervescent or effervescent forms. Each may be combinedwith other ingredients known to those skilled in the art.

In certain embodiments, DFP-IV inhibitors described herein are providedas solid dosage forms, such as capsules and tablets. The tablets, pills,capsules, troches, and the like may optionally contain one or more ofthe following ingredients, or compounds of a similar nature: a binder; adiluent; a disintegrating agent; a lubricant; a glidant; a sweeteningagent; and a flavoring agent.

Examples of binders that may be used include, but are not limited to,microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth, glucose solution, acaciamucilage, gelatin solution, sucrose and starch paste.

Examples of lubricants that may be used include, but are not limited to,talc, starch, magnesium or calcium stearate, lycopodium, and stearicacid.

Examples of diluents that may be used include, but are not limited to,lactose, sucrose, starch, kaolin, salt, mannitol, and dicalciumphosphate.

Examples of glidants that may be used include, but are not limited to,colloidal silicon dioxide.

Examples of disintegrating agents that may be used include, but are notlimited to, crosscarmellose sodium, sodium starch glycolate, alginicacid, corn starch, potato starch, bentonite, methylcellulose, agar, andcarboxymethylcellulose.

Examples of coloring agents that may be used include, but are notlimited to, any of the approved certified water soluble FD and C dyes,mixtures thereof; and water insoluble FD and C dyes suspended on aluminahydrate.

Examples of sweetening agents that may be used include, but are notlimited to, sucrose, lactose, mannitol and artificial sweetening agentssuch as sodium cyclamate and saccharin, and any number of spray-driedflavors.

Examples of flavoring agents that may be used include, but are notlimited to, natural flavors extracted from plants such as fruits andsynthetic blends of compounds that produce a pleasant sensation, suchas, but not limited to peppermint and methyl salicylate.

Examples of wetting agents that may be used include, but are not limitedto, propylene glycol monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, diethyleneglycol monolaurate, and polyoxyethylene lauryl ether.

Examples of anti-emetic coatings that may be used include, but are notlimited to, fatty acids, fats, waxes, shellac, ammoniated shellac, andcellulose acetate phthalates.

Examples of film coatings that may be used include, but are not limitedto, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyethyleneglycol 4000 and cellulose acetate phthalate.

If oral administration is desired, the at least one compound of formulaI and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof describedherein may optionally be provided in a composition that protects it fromthe acidic environment of the stomach. For example, the composition canbe formulated in an enteric coating that maintains its integrity in thestomach and releases the active compound in the intestine. Thecomposition may also be formulated in combination with an antacid orother such ingredient.

When the dosage unit form is a capsule, it may optionally additionallycomprise a liquid carrier such as a fatty oil. In addition, dosage unitforms may optionally additionally comprise various other materials thatmodify the physical form of the dosage unit, for example, coatings ofsugar and other enteric agents.

The at least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof described herein may also be administered as acomponent of an elixir, suspension, syrup, wafer, sprinkle, chewing gumor the like. A syrup may optionally comprise, in addition to the atleast one compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof described herein, sucrose as a sweetening agent and certainpreservatives, dyes and colorings, and flavors.

The at least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof described herein may also be mixed with otheractive materials that do not impair the desired action, or withmaterials that supplement the desired action, such as antacids, H2blockers, and diuretics. For example, if at least one compound and/or atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein isused for treating asthma or hypertension, it may be used with otherbronchodilators and antihypertensive agents, respectively.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that may be included intablets comprising at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein include, butare not limited to binders, lubricants, diluents, disintegrating agents,coloring agents, flavoring agents, and wetting agents. Enteric-coatedtablets, because of the enteric-coating, resist the action of stomachacid and dissolve or disintegrate in the neutral or alkaline intestines.Sugar-coated tablets may be compressed tablets to which different layersof pharmaceutically acceptable substances are applied. Film-coatedtablets may be compressed tablets that have been coated with polymers orother suitable coating. Multiple compressed tablets may be compressedtablets made by more than one compression cycle utilizing thepharmaceutically acceptable substances previously mentioned. Coloringagents may also be used in tablets. Flavoring and sweetening agents maybe used in tablets, and are especially useful in the formation ofchewable tablets and lozenges.

Examples of liquid oral dosage forms that may be used include, but arenot limited to, aqueous solutions, emulsions, suspensions, solutions,and/or suspensions reconstituted from non-effervescent granules andeffervescent preparations reconstituted from effervescent granules.

Examples of aqueous solutions that may be used include, but are notlimited to, elixirs and syrups. As used herein, elixirs refer to clear,sweetened, hydroalcoholic preparations. Examples of pharmaceuticallyacceptable carriers that may be used in elixirs include, but are notlimited to solvents. Particular examples of solvents that may be usedinclude glycerin, sorbitol, ethyl alcohol and syrup. As used herein,syrups refer to concentrated aqueous solutions of a sugar, for example,sucrose. Syrups may optionally further comprise a preservative.

Emulsions refer to two-phase systems in which one liquid is dispersed inthe form of small globules throughout another liquid. Emulsions mayoptionally be, but are not limited to, oil-in-water or water-in-oilemulsions. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that may beused in emulsions include, but are not limited to non-aqueous liquids,emulsifying agents, and preservatives.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable substances that may be used innon-effervescent granules, to be reconstituted into a liquid oral dosageform, include diluents, sweeteners, and wetting agents.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable substances that may be used ineffervescent granules, to be reconstituted into a liquid oral dosageform, include organic acids and a source of carbon dioxide.

Coloring and flavoring agents may optionally be used in all of the abovedosage forms.

Exemplary examples of preservatives that may be used include glycerin,methyl and propylparaben, benzoic add, sodium benzoate, and alcohol.

Exemplary examples of non-aqueous liquids that may be used in emulsionsinclude mineral oil and cottonseed oil.

Exemplary examples of emulsifying agents that may be used includegelatin, acacia, tragacanth, bentonite, and surfactants such aspolyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate.

Exemplary examples of suspending agents that may be used include sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, pectin, tragacanth, Veegum, and acacia. Diluentsinclude lactose and sucrose. Sweetening agents include sucrose, syrups,glycerin, and artificial sweetening agents, such as sodium cyclamate andsaccharin.

Exemplary examples of wetting agents that may be used include propyleneglycol monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, diethylene glycol monolaurate,and polyoxyethylene lauryl ether.

Exemplary examples of organic acids that may be used include citric andtartaric acid.

Sources of carbon dioxide that may be used in effervescent compositionsinclude sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate. Coloring agents includeany of the approved certified water soluble ED and C dyes, and mixturesthereof.

Exemplary examples of flavoring agents that may be used include naturalflavors extracted from plants such fruits, and synthetic blends ofcompounds that produce a pleasant taste sensation.

For a solid dosage form, the solution or suspension, in for examplepropylene carbonate, vegetable oils or triglycerides, is, for example,encapsulated in a gelatin capsule. Such solutions, and the preparationand encapsulation thereof, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,328,245;4,409,239; and 4,410,545. For a liquid dosage form, the solution, e.g.,for example, in a polyethylene glycol, may be diluted with a sufficientquantity of a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier, e.g. water, tobe easily measured for administration.

Alternatively, liquid or semi-solid oral formulations may be prepared bydissolving or dispersing the active compound or salt in vegetable oils,glycols, triglycerides, propylene glycol esters (e.g. propylenecarbonate) and other such carriers, and encapsulating these solutions orsuspensions in hard or soft gelatin capsule shells.

Also provided are compositions designed to administer the at least onecompound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofdescribed herein by parenteral administration, generally characterizedby injection, either subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously.Injectables may be prepared in any conventional form, for example asliquid solutions or suspensions, solid forms suitable for solution orsuspension in liquid prior to injection, or as emulsions.

Examples of excipients that may be used in conjunction with injectablesinclude, but are not limited to water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, andethanol. The injectable compositions may also optionally comprise minoramounts of non-toxic auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifyingagents, pH buffering agents, stabilizers, solubility enhancers, andother such agents, such as for example, sodium acetate, sorbitanmonolaurate, triethanolamine oleate, and cyclodextrins. Implantation ofa slow-release or sustained-release system, such that a constant levelof dosage is maintained (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,795) is alsocontemplated herein. The percentage of the at least one compound and/orat least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described hereincontained in such parenteral compositions is highly dependent on thespecific nature thereof, as well as the activity of the at least onecompound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofdescribed herein and the needs of the patient.

Parenteral administration of the formulations includes intravenous,subcutaneous, and intramuscular administrations. Preparations forparenteral administration include sterile solutions ready for injection,sterile dry soluble products, such as the lyophilized powders describedherein, ready to be combined with a solvent just prior to use, includinghypodermic tablets, sterile suspensions ready for injection, sterile dryinsoluble products ready to be combined with a vehicle just prior touse, and sterile emulsions. The solutions may be either aqueous ornonaqueous.

When administered intravenously, examples of suitable carriers include,but are not limited to, physiological saline or phosphate bufferedsaline (PBS), and solutions containing thickening and solubilizingagents, such as glucose, polyethylene glycol, and polypropylene glycoland mixtures thereof.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that may optionally beused in parenteral preparations include, but are not limited to aqueousvehicles, nonaqueous vehicles, antimicrobial agents, isotonic agents,buffers, antioxidants, local anesthetics, suspending and dispersingagents, emulsifying agents, sequestering and chelating agents, and otherpharmaceutically acceptable substances.

Examples of aqueous vehicles that may optionally be used include SodiumChloride Injection, Ringers Injection, Isotonic Dextrose Injection,Sterile Water Injection, Dextrose and Lactated Ringers Injection.

Examples of nonaqueous parenteral vehicles that may optionally be usedinclude fixed oils of vegetable origin, cottonseed oil, corn oil, sesameoil, and peanut oil.

Antimicrobial agents in bacteriostatic or fungistatic concentrations maybe added to parenteral preparations, particularly when the preparationsare packaged in multiple-dose containers and thus designed to be storedand multiple aliquots to be removed there from. Examples ofantimicrobial agents that may used include phenols and cresols,mercurials, benzyl alcohol, chlorobutanol, methyl and propylp-hydroxybenzoic acid esters, thimerosal, benzalkonium chloride, andbenzethonium chloride.

Examples of isotonic agents that may be used include sodium chloride anddextrose. Examples of buffers that may be used include phosphate andcitrate Examples of antioxidants that may be used include sodiumbisulfate. Examples of local anesthetics that may be used includeprocaine hydrochloride. Examples of suspending and dispersing agentsthat may be used include sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Examples of emulsifyingagents that may be used include Polysorbate 80 (TWEEN 80). Asequestering or chelating agent of metal ions includes EDTA.

Pharmaceutical carriers may also optionally include ethyl alcohol,polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol for water miscible vehicles,and sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, citric acid, and lactic acidfor pH adjustment.

The concentration of the at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein in theparenteral formulation may be adjusted so that an injection administersa pharmaceutically effective amount sufficient to produce the desiredpharmacological effect. The exact concentration of the at least onecompound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofdescribed herein and/or dosage to be used will ultimately depend on theage, weight, and condition of the patient or animal as is known in theart.

Unit-dose parenteral preparations may be packaged in an ampoule, a vial,or a syringe with a needle. AU preparations for parenteraladministration should be sterile, as is known and practiced in the art.

Injectables may be designed for local and systemic administration. Forexample, a therapeutically effective dosage is formulated to contain aconcentration of at least about 0.1% w/w up to about 90% w/w or more,such as more than 1% w/w of the at least one compound and/or at leastone pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein to thetreated tissue(s). The at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein may beadministered at once, or may be divided into a number of smaller dosesto be administered at intervals of time. It is understood that theprecise dosage and duration of treatment will be a function of thelocation of where the composition is parenterally administered, thecarrier, and other variables that may be determined empirically usingknown testing protocols or by extrapolation from in vivo or in vitrotest data. It is to be noted that concentrations and dosage values mayalso vary with the age of the individual treated. It is to be furtherunderstood that for any particular patient, specific dosage regimens mayneed to be adjusted over time according to the individual need and theprofessional judgment of the person administering or supervising theadministration of the formulations. Hence, the concentration ranges setforth herein are intended to be exemplary and are not intended to limitthe scope or practice of the claimed formulations.

The at least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof described herein may optionally be suspended inmicronized or other suitable form or may be derivatized to produce amore soluble active product. The form of the resulting mixture dependsupon a number of factors, including the intended mode of administrationand the solubility of the compound in the selected carrier or vehicle.The effective concentration is sufficient for ameliorating the symptomsof the disease state and may be empirically determined.

The at least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof described herein may also be prepared aslyophilized powders, which can be reconstituted for administration assolutions, emulsions and other mixtures. The lyophilized powders mayalso be formulated as solids or gels.

Sterile, lyophilized powder may be prepared by dissolving the compoundin a sodium phosphate buffer solution containing dextrose or othersuitable excipient. Subsequent sterile filtration of the solutionfollowed by lyophilization under standard conditions known to those ofskill in the art provides the desired formulation. Briefly, thelyophilized powder may optionally be prepared by dissolving dextrose,sorbitol, fructose, corn syrup, xylitol, glycerin, glucose, sucrose, orother suitable agent, about 1-20%, such as about 5 to 15%, in a suitablebuffer, such as citrate, sodium, and/or potassium phosphate and/or othersuch buffer known to those of skill in the art at, typically, aboutneutral pH. Then, the at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein is added tothe resulting mixture, for example, above room temperature, such as atabout 30-35° C., and stirred until it dissolves. The resulting mixtureis diluted by adding more buffer to a desired concentration. Theresulting mixture is sterile filtered or treated to remove particulatesand to insure sterility, and apportioned into vials for lyophilization.Each vial may contain a single dosage or multiple dosages of the atleast one compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof described herein.

The at least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof described herein may also be administered astopical mixtures. Topical mixtures may be used for local and systemicadministration. The resulting mixture may be a solution, suspension,emulsion, or the like and is formulated as creams, gels, ointments,emulsions, solutions, elixirs, lotions, suspensions, tinctures, pastes,foams, aerosols, irrigations, sprays, suppositories, bandages, dermalpatches, or any other formulations suitable for topical administration.The at least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof described herein may be formulated as aerosolsfor topical application, such as by inhalation (see, U.S. Pat. Nos.4,044,126, 4,414,209, and 4,364,923, which describe aerosols fordelivery of a steroid useful for treatment inflammatory diseases,particularly asthma). These formulations for administration to therespiratory tract can be in the form of an aerosol or solution for anebulizer, or as a microfine powder for insufflation, alone or incombination with an inert carrier such as lactose. In such a case, theparticles of the formulation will for example have median diameters ofless than 50 microns, such as less than 10 microns.

The at least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof described herein may also be formulated forlocal or topical application, such as for topical application to theskin and mucous membranes, such as in the eye, in the form of gels,creams, and lotions and for application to the eye or for intracisternalor intraspinal application. Topical administration is contemplated fortransdermal delivery and also for administration to the eyes or mucosa,or for inhalation therapies. Nasal solutions of the at least onecompound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofdescribed herein alone or in combination with other pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipients can also be administered.

Depending upon the disease state being treated, other routes ofadministration, such as topical application, transdermal patches, andrectal administration, may also be used. For example, pharmaceuticaldosage forms for rectal administration are rectal suppositories,capsules, and tablets for systemic effect. Rectal suppositories, as usedherein, mean solid bodies for insertion into the rectum that melt orsoften at body temperature releasing one or more pharmacologically ortherapeutically active ingredients. Pharmaceutically acceptablesubstances utilized in rectal suppositories are bases or vehicles andagents to raise the melting point. Examples of bases include cocoabutter (theobroma oil), glycerin-gelatin, carbowax, (polyoxyethyleneglycol) and appropriate mixtures of mono-, di- and triglycerides offatty acids. Combinations of the various bases may be used. Agents toraise the melting point of suppositories include spermaceti and wax.Rectal suppositories may be prepared either by the compressed method orby molding. The typical weight of a rectal suppository is about 2 to 3gm. Tablets and capsules for rectal administration may be manufacturedusing the same pharmaceutically acceptable substance and by the samemethods as for formulations for oral administration.

In the treatment of conditions which require inhibition of dipeptidylpeptidase-IV enzyme activity an appropriate dosage level will generallybe about 0.1 to 1000 mg per day which can be administered in single ormultiple doses.

For example, the dosage level will be about 0.1 to about 250 mg per day;such as from about 0.5 to about 100 mg per day. A suitable dosage levelmay be about 0.1 to 1000 mg per day, about 0.1 to 500 mg per day, orabout 0.1 to 50 mg per day. Within this range the dosage may be 0.1 to0.5, 0.5 to 5 or 5 to 50 mg per day. For oral administration, thecompositions are for example provided in the form of tablets containing1.0 to 1000 mg of the at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein, such as 1.0,5.0, 10.0, 15.0. 20.0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0, 100.0, 150.0, 200.0, 250.0,300.0, 400.0, 500.0, 600.0, 750.0, 800.0, 900.0, and 1000.0 mg of the atleast one compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof described herein for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage tothe patient to be treated. The at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein may beadministered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day, such as once or twiceper day.

When treating diabetes mellitus and/or hyperglycemia orhypertriglyceridemia or other diseases for which the at least onecompound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofdescribed herein are indicated, generally satisfactory results may beobtained when the at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein areadministered at a daily dosage of, for example, from about 0.1 mg toabout 3000 mg, for example given as a single daily dose or in divideddoses two to six times a day, or in sustained release form. For mostlarge mammals, the total daily dosage may be from about 1.0 mg to about1000 mg, such as from about 1 mg to about 50 mg. In the case of a 70 kgadult human, the total daily dose may generally be from about 7 mg toabout 350 mg. This dosage regimen may be adjusted to provide the optimaltherapeutic response.

It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level andfrequency of dosage for any particular patient may be varied and willdepend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the at leastone compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof described herein employed, the metabolic stability and length ofaction of that at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein, the age, bodyweight, general health, sex, diet, mode and time of administration, rateof excretion, drug combination, the severity of the particularcondition, and the host undergoing therapy.

Inhibition constants may, for example, be determined as follows. Acontinuous fluorometric assay is employed with the substrateGly-Pro-AMC, which is cleaved by DPP-IV to release the fluorescent AMCleaving group. A typical reaction contains approximately 50 μM enzyme,50 μM Gly-Pro-AMC, and buffer (100 mM HEPES, pH 7.5, 0.1 mg/ml BSA) in atotal reaction volume of 100 μL. Liberation of AMC is monitoredcontinuously in a 96-well plate fluorometer using an excitationwavelength of 360 nm and an emission wavelength of 460 nm. Under theseconditions, approximately 0.8 μM AMC is produced in 30 minutes at 25degrees C. The enzyme used in these studies was soluble (transmembranedomain and cytoplasmic extension excluded) human protein produced in abaculovirus expression system (Bac-To-Bac, Gibeo BRL). The kineticconstants for hydrolysis of Gly-Pro-AMC and GLP-1 were found to be inaccord with literature values for the native enzyme. To measure thedissociation constants for the at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof described herein, solutions ofthe at least one compound and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof described herein in DMSO were added to reactionscontaining enzyme and substrate (final DMSO concentration is 1%). Allexperiments were conducted at room temperature using the standardreaction conditions described above. To determine the dissociationconstants (IC), reaction rates were fit by non-linear regression to theMichaelis-Menton equation for competitive inhibition. The errors inreproducing the dissociation constants are typically less than two-fold.

For example, the at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof of the following examples hadactivity in inhibiting the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme in theaforementioned assays, generally with an IC₅₀ of less than about 1 μM.Such a result is indicative of the intrinsic activity of the at leastone compound and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof described herein in use as inhibitors of the dipeptidylpeptidase-IV enzyme activity.

Several methods for preparing the at least one compound of formula Iand/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof areillustrated in the following Schemes and Examples without limiting thescope of the present disclosure. Starting materials are made accordingto procedures known in the art or as illustrated herein.

EXAMPLES Preparation of DPP-IV Inhibitors

Various methods may be developed for synthesizing the at least onecompound of formula I and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof. Representative methods for synthesizing the at least onecompound of formula I and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof are provided in the Examples. It is noted, however, thatthe at least one compound of formula I and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may also be synthesized byother synthetic routes that others may devise.

It will be readily recognized that certain compounds of formula I haveatoms with linkages to other atoms that confer a particularstereochemistry to the compound (e.g., chiral centers). It is recognizedthat synthesis of the at least one compound of formula I and/or at leastone pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may result in the creationof mixtures of different stereoisomers (enantiomers, diastereomers).Unless a particular stereochemistry is specified, recitation of acompound is intended to encompass all of the different possiblestereoisomers.

The at least one compound of formula (I) can also be prepared as apharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt by, for example, reactingthe free base form of the at least one compound with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable inorganic or organic acid. Alternatively, a pharmaceuticallyacceptable base addition salt of the at least one compound of formula(I) can be prepared by, for example, reacting the free acid form of theat least one compound with a pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic ororganic base. Inorganic and organic acids and bases suitable for thepreparation of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds offormula (I) are set forth in the definitions section of thisApplication. Alternatively, the salt forms of the compounds of formula(I) can be prepared using salts of the starting materials orintermediates.

The free acid or free base forms of the compounds of formula (I) can beprepared from the corresponding base addition salt or acid addition saltform. For example, a compound of formula (I) in an acid addition saltform can be converted to the corresponding free base thereof by treatingwith a suitable base (e.g., ammonium hydroxide solution, sodiumhydroxide, and the like). A compound of formula (I) in a base additionsalt form can be converted to the corresponding free acid thereof by,for example, treating with a suitable acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid,etc).

The N-oxides of the at least one compound of formula (I) and/or at leastone pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be prepared by methodsknown to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, N-oxides canbe prepared by treating an unoxidized form of the compound of formula(I) with an oxidizing agent (e.g., trifluoroperacetic acid, permaleicacid, perbenzoic acid, peracetic acid, meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, orthe like) in a suitable inert organic solvent (e.g., a halogenatedhydrocarbon such as dichloromethane) at approximately 0° C.Alternatively, the N-oxides of the compounds of formula (I) can beprepared from the N-oxide of an appropriate starting material.

Compounds of formula (I) in an unoxidized form can be prepared fromN-oxides of compounds of formula (I) by, for example, treating with areducing agent (e.g., sulfur, sulfur dioxide, triphenyl phosphine,lithium borohydride, sodium borohydride, phosphorus trichloride,tribromide, and the like) in an suitable inert organic solvent (e.g.,acetonitrile, ethanol, aqueous dioxane, and the like) at 0 to 80° C.

Protected derivatives of the compounds of formula (I) can be made bymethods known to those of ordinary skill in the art. A detaileddescription of the techniques applicable to the creation of protectinggroups and their removal can be found in T. W. Greene, Protecting Groupsin Organic Synthesis, 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1999.

The at least one compound of formula I and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may be conveniently prepared,or as solvates (e.g. hydrates). Hydrates of the at least one compound offormula I and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofmay be conveniently prepared by recrystallization from anaqueous/organic solvent mixture, using organic solvents such as dioxin,tetrahydrofuran and/or methanol.

The compounds of formula (I) can also be prepared as their individualstereoisomers by reacting a racemic mixture of the compounds with anoptically active resolving agent to form a pair of diastereoisomericcompounds, separating the diastereomers, and recovering the opticallypure enantiomer. While resolution of enantiomers can be carried outusing covalent diasteromeric derivatives of compounds, dissociablecomplexes are preferred (e.g., crystalline diastereoisomeric salts).Diastereomers have distinct physical properties (e.g., melting points,boiling points, solubilities, reactivity, etc.) and can be readilyseparated by taking advantage of these dissimilarities. Thediastereomers can be separated by chromatography or, for example, byseparation/resolution techniques based upon differences in solubility.The optically pure enantiomer is then recovered, along with theresolving agent, by any practical means that would not result inracemization. A more detailed description of the techniques applicableto the resolution of stereoisomers of compounds from their racemicmixture can be found in Jean Jacques Andre Collet, Samuel H. Wilen,Enantiomers, Racemates and Resolutions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1981).

As used herein the symbols and conventions used in these processes,schemes and examples are consistent with those used in the contemporaryscientific literature, for example, the Journal of the American ChemicalSociety or the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Standard single-letteror three-letter abbreviations are generally used to designate amino acidresidues, which are assumed to be in the L-configuration unlessotherwise noted. Unless otherwise noted, all starting materials wereobtained from commercial suppliers and used without furtherpurification. For example, the following abbreviations may be used inthe examples and throughout the specification: g (grams); mg(milligrams); L (liters); mL (milliliters); μL (microliters); psi(pounds per square inch); M (molar); mM (millimolar); i.v.(intravenous); Hz (Hertz); MHz (megahertz); mol (moles); mmol(millimoles); RT (room temperature); min (minutes); h (hours); mp(melting point); TLC (thin layer chromatography); Tr (retention time);RP (reverse phase); MeOH (methanol); i-PrOH (isopropanol); TEA(triethylamine); TFA (trifluoroacetic acid); TFAA (trifluoroaceticanhydride); THF (tetrahydrofuran); DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide); EtOAc(ethyl acetate); DME (1,2-dimethoxyethane); DCM (dichloromethane); DCE(dichloroethane); DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide); DMPU(N,N′-dimethylpropyleneurea); CDI (1,1-carbonyldiimidazole); IBCF(isobutyl chloroformate); HOAc (acetic acid); HOSu(N-hydroxysuccinimino); HOBT (1-hydroxybenzotriazole); Et₂O (diethylether); EDCI (1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimidehydrochloride); BOC (tert-butyloxycarbonyl); FMOC(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl); DCC (dicyclohexylcarbodiimino); CBZ(benzyloxycarbonyl); Ac (acetyl); atm (atmosphere); TMSE(2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl); TMS (trimethylsilyl); TIPS(triisopropylsilyl); TBS (t-butyldimethylsilyl); DMAP(4-dimethylaminopyridine); Me (methyl); OMe (methoxy); Et (ethyl); Et(ethyl); tBu (tert-butyl); HPLC (high pressure liquid chomatography);BOP (bis(2-oxo-3-oxazolidinyl)phosphinic chloride); TBAF(tetra-n-butylamrnonium fluoride); mCPBA (meta-chloroperbenzoic acid).

References to ether or Et₂O are to diethyl ether; brine refers to asaturated aqueous solution of NaCl. Unless otherwise indicated, alltemperatures are expressed in ° C. (degrees Centigrade). All reactionswere conducted under an inert atmosphere at RT unless otherwise noted.

¹H NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Mercury Plus 400. Chemicalshifts are expressed in parts per million (ppm). Coupling constants arein units of hertz (Hz). Splitting patterns describe apparentmultiplicities and are designated as s (singlet), d (doublet), t(triplet), q (quartet), m (multiplet), and br (broad).

Low-resolution mass spectra (MS) and compound purity data were acquiredon a Shimadzu LC/MS single quadrapole system equipped with electrosprayionization (ESI) source, UV detector (220 and 254 nm), and evaporativelight scattering detector (ELSD). Thin-layer chromatography wasperformed on 0.25 mm E Merck silica gel plates (60E-254), visualizedwith UV light, 5% ethanolic phosphomolybdic acid, Ninhydrin, orp-anisaldehyde solution. Flash column chromatography was performed onsilica gel (230-400 mesh, Merck).

Synthetic Schemes

The at least one compound of formula I and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may be synthesized according toa variety of reaction schemes. Some illustrative schemes are providedbelow and in the examples. Other reaction schemes could be readilydevised by those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

In the reactions described hereinafter it may be necessary to protectreactive functional groups, for example hydroxy, amino, imino, thio orcarboxy groups, where these are desired in the final product, to avoidtheir unwanted participation in the reactions. Conventional protectinggroups may be used in accordance with standard practice, for example,see T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts in “Protective Groups in OrganicChemistry” John Wiley and Sons, 1991.

Synthetic methods for preparing the compounds in the present disclosureare illustrated in the following Schemes and Examples. Startingmaterials are commercially available or may be made according toprocedures known in the art or as illustrated herein.

Compounds of formula I may be prepared by reacting intermediate II withsubstituted amino piperidine of formula III as illustrated in Scheme 1,wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and L are as defined above. Amino piperidinesof formula III are known in the literature or may be convenientlyprepared by a variety of methods familiar to those skilled in the art. Yis a leaving group such as halogen, alkyl sulfide, alkyl sulfoxide oralkyl sulfone.

Compounds of formula Ha may be prepared from intermediate VI using aroute described in Scheme 2. Intermediates of formula VI are known inthe literature or may be conveniently prepared by a variety of methodsfamiliar to those skilled in the art. Reaction of a ketone ester IV withthiosemicarbazide V provides intermediate VI. Cyclization ofintermediate VI in a solvent such as water in the presence of a basesuch as sodium bicarbonate gives triazinone VII. Treatment of triazinoneVII with methyl iodide leads to compound VIII. Reaction of compound VIIIwith electrophiles of formula IX such as alky halides gives intermediateIIa.

Alternatively, IIa may be prepared from intermediate X as illustrated inScheme 3. Intermediates of formula X are known in the literature or maybe conveniently prepared by a variety of methods familiar to thoseskilled in the art. Cyclization of intermediate X in a solvent such astoluene in the presence of a base such as DBU leads to compound XI.Treatment of compound XI with methyl iodide gives compound IIa as shownin Scheme 3.

In some cases the order of carrying out the foregoing reaction schemesmay be varied to facilitate the reaction or to avoid unwanted reactionproducts. The following examples are provided so that the inventionmight be more fully understood. These examples are illustrative only andshould not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

Example 1(R)-2-((3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)benzonitrile

Step A. 2-(2-carbamothioylhydrazono)propanoic acid (3)

To a mixture of thiosemicarbazide (2) (4.55 g, 50.0 mmol) in water (90mL) was added pyruvic acid (1) (4.40 g, 50.0 mmol). The mixture washeated at 70° C. for 20 min (while a white solid precipitated). Aftercooling to room temperature, the white solid was collected byfiltration, washed with water and dried in air to give2-(2-carbamothioylhydrazono)propanoic acid (3).

Step B. 6-methyl-3-thioxo-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-one (4)

To a solution of Na₂CO₃ (4.84 g, 45.6 mmol) in water (300 mL) was added2-(2-carbamothioylhydrazono)propanoic acid (3, 7.35 g, 45.6 mmol). Themixture was heated at refluxing temperature for 3.5 h. After cooling toroom temperature, the clear solution was acidified with 2 N HCl to pH˜5. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (60 mL×4) and CH₂Cl₂ (60 mL×4).The combined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to give6-methyl-3-thioxo-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-one (4) as a whitesolid. MS: m/z, 144 (100%, M+1).

Step C. 6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (5)

To a solution of 6-methyl-3-thioxo-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-one(4, 5.80 g, 40.6 mmol) in absolute ethanol (250 mL) was added NaOH (1.96g, 49.1 mmol) followed by MeI (11.5 g, 81.2 mmol). The mixture washeated at 40° C. for 15 h. Most of the solvent was evaporated underreduced pressure. Water was added to the residue. The precipitated whitesolid was collected by filtration and washed with ethanol to give 5(3.06 g). The aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (80 mL×4). Thecombined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to give 3.34 gcrude product. This was purified by column chromatography on silica gel,and eluted with 1:1 to 1:2 petroleum ether-ethyl acetate to provide6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (5). MS: m/z, 158 (100%,M+1).

Step D.2-((6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)benzonitrile(6)

To a solution of 6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (5,1.546 g, 9.85 mmol) in dry DMF (10 mL) at 0° C. was added K₂CO₃ (1.36 g,9.85 mmol) and 2-cyanobenzylbromide (2.316 g, 11.82 mmol). The mixturewas heated at 0° C. for 16 h. The mixture was diluted with water, andextracted with EtOAc (50 mL×3). The combined extracts were washed withbrine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated. This was purified by columnchromatography on silica gel, and eluted with 20% to 50% ethyl acetatein petroleum ether and 1:1:2 petroleum ether-dichloromethane-ethylacetate to provide2-((6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)benzonitrile(6). MS: m/z, 273 (100%, M+1), 295 (60%, M+23).

Step E. (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-cyanobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(7)

The mixture of2-((6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)benzonitrile(6, 68 mg, 0.25 mmol) and (R)-tert-butyl piperidin-3-ylcarbamate (60 mg,0.30 mmol) was ground for 5 min and then heated in a tube under nitrogenatmosphere at 130° C. for 13 h. The mixture was separated by silica gelcolumn, and eluted with 2:1 to 1:1 petroleum ether-ethyl acetate andthen with 1:1:2 petroleum ether-dichloromethane-ethyl acetate to give(R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-cyanobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(7). MS: m/z, 425 (100%, M+1), 447(40%, M+23).

Step F.(R)-2-((3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)benzonitrile(8)

To a solution of (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-cyanobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(7, 13 mg) in dichloromethane (0.5 mL) was added HCl in methanol (20%)(1 mL) and the mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h. The mixture wascarefully neutralized with NaHCO₃ (aq, saturated), and extracted withCH₂Cl₂ (50 mL×3). The combined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄ andconcentrated to give the crude product. This was purified by columnchromatography on silica gel, eluted with 92:6:2dichloromethane-methanol-ammonia to provide(R)-2-((3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)benzonitrile(8). MS: m/z, 325 (100%, M+1).

Example 2(R)-3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one

Step A. Methyl 2-bromo-5-fluorobenzoate (10)

To a solution of 2-bromo-5-fluorobenzoic acid (9) (21.90 g, 100 mmol) inmethanol (100 mL) was added conc. H₂SO₄ (2 mL). The mixture was heatedat reflux for 21 h. Most of the solvent was evaporated and diluted withwater (200 mL). The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (150 mL×2). Thecombined extracts were washed with saturated NaHCO₃ and brine, driedover MgSO₄, and concentrated to give methyl 2-bromo-5-fluorobenzoate(10).

Step B. (2-bromo-5-fluorophenyl)nethanol (11)

To a solution of methyl 2-bromo-5-fluorobenzoate (10, 21.30 g, 91.4mmol) in dry THF (150 mL) was added NaBH₄ (6.95 g, 183 mmol). Methanol(20 mL) was added dropwise at RT. After the addition, the mixture wasstirred at RT for 1 h. Water (200 mL) was slowly added. The mixture wasextracted with CH₂Cl₂ (100 mL×2). The combined extracts were washed withsaturated NaHCO₃ and brine, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated to give(2-bromo-5-fluorophenyl)methanol (11).

Step C. 1-bromo-2-(bromomethyl)-4-fluorobenzene (12)

To a solution of (2-bromo-5-fluorophenyl)methanol (11, 4.10 g, 20.0mmol) in dry DME (40 mL) at 0° C. was added a solution of PBr₃ (3.25 g,12.0 mmol) in dry DME (40 mL) dropwise. The mixture was then slowlywarmed up to RT and stirred at for another 3 h. The mixture was dilutedwith water (100 mL), and extracted with 1:1 petroleum-ether-EtOAc (100mL×2). The combined extracts were washed with saturated NaHCO₃ andbrine, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated to give1-bromo-2-(bromomethyl)-4-fluorobenzene (12).

Step D. 1-bromo-4-fluoro-2-(isothiocyanatomethyl)benzene (13)

To a solution of 1-bromo-2-(bromomethyl)-4-fluorobenzene (12, 5.36 g,20.0 mmol) in dry DMF (20 mL) was added NaI (1.20 g, 8.00 mmol) and KSCN(3.88 g, 40.0 mmol). The mixture was heated under N₂ at 80° C. for 12 h.After cooling to RT, the mixture was diluted with water (100 mL), andextracted with EtOAc (50 mL×2). The combined extracts were washed withbrine, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated to give crude product. This waspurified by column chromatography on silica gel, and eluted withpetroleum ether to provide1-bromo-4-fluoro-2-(isothiocyanatomethyl)benzene (13).

Step E. N-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)hydrazinecarbothioamide (14)

To a solution of hydrazine hydrate (80%, 2.22 g, 35.5 mmol) in1,4-dioxane (20 mL) at 0° C. was added a solution of1-bromo-4-fluoro-2-(isothiocyanatomethyl)benzene (13, 3.16 g, 12.8 mmol)in 1,4-dioxane (5 mL) The mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h. Ice coldwater (100 mL) was added. The precipitated solid was collected byfiltration, washed with water, and dried over P₂O₅ overnight to provideN-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)hydrazinecarbothioamide (14). MS: m/z, 278(100%, M+1), 280 (100%), 300 (10%, M+23), 302 (10%).

Step F. Methyl2-(2-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzylcarbamothioyl)hydrazono)propanoate (15)

To a solution of pyruvic acid (352 mg, 4.00 mmol) in methanol (15 mL)was added N-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)hydrazinecarbothioamide (14, 1.112g, 4.00 mmol) followed by conc. H₂SO₄ (5 drops). The mixture was heatedat reflux for 7 h. Most of the solvent was evaporated. The residue wastaken into EtOAc (150 mL), washed with water, saturated NaHCO₃ andbrine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give methyl2-(2-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzylcarbamothioyl)hydrazono)propanoate (15). MS:m/z, 362 (100%, M+1), 364 (100%), 384 (60%, M+23), 386 (60%).

Step G.4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-3-thioxo-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-one(16)

To a solution of MeONa (0.4 M) in methanol (30 mL), freshly preparedfrom sodium (273 mg, 11.88 mmol) and dry methanol (30 mL), was addedmethyl 2-(2-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzylcarbamothioyl)hydrazono)propanoate(15, 1.434 g, 3.96 mmol). The mixture was heated at reflux for 22 h.Most of the solvent was evaporated. The residue was diluted with water(100 mL), acidified with 2 N HCl to pH=1˜2, and then extracted withEtOAc (50 mL×2). The extracts were washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄,and concentrated to give a mixture which was separated by silica gelcolumn, and eluted with 20-30% ethyl acetate in petroleum ether to give4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-3-thioxo-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-one(16). MS: m/z, 330 (65%, M+1), 332 (60%, M+23).

Step H4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one(17)

To a suspension of4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-3-thioxo-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-one(16, 914 mg, 2.77 mmol) in ethanol (15 mL) was added NaOH (111 mg, 2.77mmol) followed by MeI (787 mg, 5.54 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RTfor 10 min to produce a clear yellow solution. The reaction was dilutedwith water (100 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL×2). The extractswere washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated to give thecrude product. This was purified by silica gel column, and eluted with20-25% ethyl acetate in petroleum ether to give4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one(17). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO, ppm): δ 7.73 (m, 1H), 7.16 (br, 1H), 7.05(d, 1H), 5.09 (s, 2H), 2.56 (s, 3H), 2.32 (s, 3H). MS: m/z, 344 (100%,M+1), 346 (100%).

Step I. (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(18)

The mixture of4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one(17, 180 mg, 0.523 mmol) and (R)-tert-butyl piperidin-3-ylcarbamate (208mg, 1.04 mmol) was ground for 5 min and then heated in a tube undernitrogen atmosphere at 135° C. for 13 h. The mixture was separated bysilica gel column, and eluted with 10-50% ethyl acetate in petroleumether to give (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(18). MS: m/z, 496 (100%, M+1), 498 (100%).

Step J.(R)-3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-4-(3-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one(19)

To a solution of (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(18, 30 mg) in dichloromethane (1 mL) was added TFA (0.5 mL), and themixture was stirred at RT for 3 h. The mixture was carefully neutralizedwith NaHCO₃ (aq, saturated), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL×3). Thecombined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to give thecrude product. This was purified by column chromatography on silica gel,and eluted with 92:6:2 dichloromethane-methanol-ammonia to provide(R)-3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-4-(3-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one(19). MS: m/z, 396 (100%, M+1), 398 (100%).

Example 3(R)-2-((3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)-4-fluorobenzonitrile

Step A. (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-cyano-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(20)

To a mixture of Na₂CO₃ (53 mg, 0.50 mmol) and Pd(OAc)₂ (3 mg, 0.013mmol) in NMP (0.5 mL) was added i-PrOH (3 drops) and water (2 drops).The mixture was stirred at RT for 5 min. A solution of (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(18, 246 mg, 0.496 mmol) in NMP (1.0 mL) was added. The mixture washeated to 140° C. and then K₄[Fe(CN)₆]0.3H₂O (209 mg, 0.496 mmol) wasadded. The mixture was heated at 140° C. for 12 h. After cooling to RT,the mixture was diluted with water (10 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (20mL×2). The combined extracts were washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄,and concentrated to give crude product. This was purified by columnchromatography on silica gel, and eluted with 20-35% EtOAc in petroleumether to provide (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-cyano-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(20). MS: m/z, 418 (20%), 443 (100%, M+1), 465 (95%, M+23).

Step B.(R)-2((3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)-4-fluorobenzonitrile(21)

To a solution of (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-cyano-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(20, 37 mg) in dichloromethane (1 mL) was added TFA (0.5 mL) and themixture was stirred at RT for 1 h. The mixture was carefully neutralizedwith NaHCO₃ (aq, saturated), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL×3). Thecombined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to give thecrude product, which was purified by column chromatography on silicagel, and eluted with 92:6:2 dichloromethane-methanol-ammonia to provide(R)-2-((3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)-4-fluorobenzonitrile(21). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO, ppm): δ 7.96 (m, 1H), 7.36 (br, 1H), 7.29(d, 1H), 5.23 (s, 2H), 3.15 (m, 3H), 2.72 (m, 2H), 2.23 (s, 3H), 1.78(d, 1H), 1.64 (d, 1H), 1.47 (m, 1H), 1.12 (m, 1H). MS: m/z, 343 (100%,M+1);

Example 4(R)-3(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one

Step A. Methyl 2-chloro-5-fluorobenzoate (23)

To a solution of 2-chloro-5-fluorobenzoic acid (22) (35.0 g, 200 mmol)in methanol (350 mL) was added cone. H₂SO₄ (5 mL). The mixture washeated at reflux for 24 h. Most of the solvent was evaporated, and theresulting mixture was diluted with water (300 mL). The mixture wasextracted with EtOAc (150 mL×2). The combined extracts were washed withsaturated NaHCO₃ and brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to givemethyl 2-chloro-5-fluorobenzoate (23).

Step B. (2-chloro-5-fluorophenyl)methanol (24)

To a solution of methyl 2-chloro-5-fluorobenzoate (23, 35.0 g, 185.6mmol) in dry THF (150 mL) was added NaBH₄ (21.2 g, 557 mmol). Methanol(40 mL) was added dropwise at RT. After the addition, the mixture wasstirred at RT for 1 h. Water (300 mL) was slowly added. The mixture wasextracted with CH₂Cl₂ (200 mL×2). The combined extracts were washed withsaturated NaHCO₃ and brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give(2-chloro-5-fluorophenyl)methanol (24).

Step C. 2-(bromomethyl)-1-chloro-4-fluorobenzene (25)

To a solution of (2-chloro-5-fluorophenyl)methanol (24, 25.5 g, 159mmol) in dry DME (200 mL) at 0° C. was added a solution of PBr₃ (25.8 g,95.2 mmol) in dry DME (150 mL) dropwise. The mixture was then slowlywarmed up to RT and stirred at RT for another 3 h. The mixture wasdiluted with water (300 mL), and extracted with 1:1petroleum-ether-EtOAc (200 mL×2). The combined extracts were washed withsaturated NaHCO₃ and brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give2-(bromomethyl)-1-chloro-4-fluorobenzene (25).

Step D. 1-chloro-4-fluoro-2-(isothiocyanatomethyl)benzene (26)

To a solution of 2-(bromomethyl)-1-chloro-4-fluorobenzene (25, 22.3 g,100 mmol) in dry DMF (150 mL) were added NaI (16.0 g, 107 mmol) and KSCN(19.5 g, 200 mmol) The mixture was heated under N₂ at 90° C. for 18 h.After cooling to RT, the mixture was diluted with water (200 mL), andextracted with EtOAc (200 mL×2). The combined extracts were washed withbrine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give crude product. Thiswas purified by column chromatography on silica gel, and eluted withpetroleum ether to provide1-chloro-4-fluoro-2-(isothiocyanatomethyl)benzene (26).

Step E. N-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)hydrazinecarbothioamide (27)

To a solution of hydrazine hydrate (80%, 13.4 g, 214 mmol) in1,4-dioxane (100 mL) at 0° C. was added a solution of1-chloro-4-fluoro-2-(isothiocyanatomethyl)benzene (26, 14.4 g, 71.6mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (50 mL) The mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h. Icecold water (300 mL) was added. The precipitated solid was collected byfiltration, washed with water and dried over P₂O₅ overnight to provideN-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)hydrazinecarbothioamide (27). MS: m/z, 234(100%, M+1), 236 (33%).

Step F. Methyl2-(2-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzylcarbamothioyl)hydrazono)propanoate (28)

To a solution of pyruvic acid (5.63 g, 64.0 mmol) in methanol (150 mL)was added N-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)hydrazinecarbothioamide (27, 14.9g, 64.0 mmol) followed by cone. H₂SO₄ (3 mL) The mixture was heated atreflux for 15 h. Most of the solvent was evaporated. The resultingresidue was taken into EtOAc (500 mL), washed with water, saturatedNaHCO₃ and brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give methyl2-(2-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzylcarbamothioyl)hydrazono)propanoate (28).MS: m/z, 318 (100%, M+1), 320 (35%).

Step G.4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-3-thioxo-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-one(29)

To a solution of MeONa (0.82 M) in methanol (200 mL), freshly preparedfrom sodium (3.80 g, 165 mmol) and dry methanol (200 mL), was addedmethyl 2-(2-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzylcarbamothioyl)hydrazono)propanoate(28, 10.00 g, 31.5 mmol). The mixture was heated at reflux for 36 h.Most of the solvent was evaporated. The resulting residue was dilutedwith water (300 mL), acidified with 2 N HCl to pH=1˜2, and thenextracted with EtOAc (250 mL×2). The extracts were washed with brine,dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give a mixture, which wasseparated by silica gel column, and eluted with 20-30% ethyl acetate inpetroleum ether to give4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-3-thioxo-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-one(29).

Step H.4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl-6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one(30)

To a suspension of4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-3-thioxo-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-one(29, 3.06 g, 10.72 mmol) in ethanol (50 mL) was added MeI (2.44 g, 17.1mmol) followed by NaOH (429 mg, 10.72 mmol). The mixture was stirred atRT for 40 min to produce a clear yellow solution. The reaction wasdiluted with water (200 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (100 mL×3). Theextracts were washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated togive the crude product (3.195 g). This was crystallized from ethylacetate-petroleum ether to give4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one(30). MS: m/z, 300 (100%, M+1), 302 (35%).

Step I (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(31)

The mixture of4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one(30, 1.50 g, 5.0 mmol) and (R)-tert-butyl piperidin-3-ylcarbamate (1.500g, 7.50 mmol) was ground for 5 min and then heated in a tube undernitrogen atmosphere at 130° C. for 14 h. The mixture was separated bysilica gel column, and eluted with 10-50% ethyl acetate in petroleumether to give (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-ylpiperidin-3-ylcarbamate(31). MS: m/z, 396 (100%, M-56), 398 (35%), 452 (100%, M+1), 454 (35%),474 (70%, M+23), 476 (25%).

Step J.(R)-3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one(32)

To a solution of (R)-tert-butyl1-(4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)piperidin-3-ylcarbamate(31, 44 mg) in dichloromethane (1 mL) was added TFA (0.4 mL), and themixture was stirred at RT for 1.5 h. The mixture was carefullyneutralized with NaHCO₃ (aq, saturated), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (10mL×3). The combined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated togive(R)-3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one(32). MS: m/z, 352 (100%, M+1), 354 (33%).

DPP-4 Activity in Vitro

DPP-IV Assay Solutions of test compounds in varying concentrations (10⁻⁵mol/L, 10⁻⁶ mol/L, 10⁻⁷ mol/L, 10⁻⁸ mol/L, 10⁻⁹ mol/L, 10⁻¹⁰ mol/L,10⁻¹¹ mol/L, and 10⁻¹² mol/L) were prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)and then diluted into assay buffer comprising: 10 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0,0.2 M NaCl, and 0.1% BSA. Recombinant human DPP-IV (7.8 ng/ml finalconcentration) was added to the dilutions and pre-incubated for 30 minsat room temperature before the reaction was initiated with H-Ala-Pro-AFC(50 μM final concentration). The total volume of the reaction mixturewas 100 μl.

The fluorescence of the mixture was measured after 30 minutes(excitation at 405 nm; emission at 535 nm). Inhibition constants (IC₅₀)were calculated by GraphPad Prism.

The test results are listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 EXAMPLE IC₅₀ (nM) 1 22 2 242 3 3 4 640

DPP-4 Activity in Vivo

Compounds were tested in mice to assess inhibition of plasma DPP-4activity. Male ICR mice (25-30 g) were used for this study. All the micewere fasted at least 3 hours before study. Mice (n=6/group) receivedvehicle or compound by oral gavages. The dosing solutions were 0.15mg/ml for the 3 mg/kg. Dosing volumes were 20 ml/kg of body weight forall doses. The vehicle was distilled water. Following oraladministration, blood samples were obtained manually at designedschedule. Blood samples were processed to obtain plasma (2000 G, 5 mM,4° C.) within 15 min after sampling.

Plasma were collected and tested by fluorometry. Before the testing, 80mM MgCl₂ buffer was added into the Sul serum samples and pre-incubatedfor 5 minutes at RT, then 10 μl of 0.1 mM substrate Gly-Pro-AMC and 20μl buffer were added into them. The fluorescence of the mixture wasmeasured every 3 minutes after mixing (excitation at 380 nm; emission at460 nm). The DPP-4 activity before administration was 100%. The relativeactivity of DPP-4 in serum was calculated using the formula below:

Relative DPP-4 activity %=DPP-4 activity after dosing/DPP-4 activitybefore dosing×100.

The relative DPP-4 activities in mice plasma after oral administrationof a 3 mg/kg dose of Example 3 to ICR mice are listed in Table 2 below:

TABLE 2 Relative DPP-4 activity at the dosage of 3 mg/kg (DPP-4 Relativeactivity %, X ± s, n = 5) Dosage Time after dosing (hour) Group (mg/kg)0 1 hr 2 hrs 3 hrs 5 hrs control — 100.0 91.8 ± 3.3   90.3 ± 4.8   88.9± 2.5   93.6 ± 5.3   Alogliptin 3 100.0 18.8 ± 1.0*** 19.9 ± 1.3*** 22.3± 1.5*** 25.6 ± 1.6*** Example 3 3 100.0 14.1 ± 2.0*** 16.7 ± 1.6***19.8 ± 1.0*** 18.7 ± 1.8*** *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001;Relative to control group

1. At least one compound of formula (I):

and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R¹is selected from: C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkylalkyl,heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, andheteroarylalkyl, wherein alkyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclyl are eachunsubstituted or substituted with at least one substituent independentlyselected from R^(6a), and wherein aryl and heteroaryl are eachunsubstituted or independently substituted with at least one substituentindependently selected from R^(6b); R² is selected from: hydrogen andalkyl, wherein each alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with at leastone substituent independently selected from R^(6a); R³ is selected from:hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl,C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclylalkyl,aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, and heteroarylalkyl, wherein alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclyl are each unsubstituted orsubstituted with at least one substituent independently selected fromR^(6a), and aryl and heteroaryl are each unsubstituted or substitutedwith at least one substituent independently selected from R^(6b); R⁴ isselected from: hydrogen, and C₁₋₄ alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstitutedor substituted with at least one substituent independently selected fromR^(6a); R⁵ is selected from: hydrogen, and C₁₋₄ alkyl, wherein alkyl isunsubstituted or substituted with at least one substituent independentlyselected from R^(6a); or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen to whichthey are attached form a heterocyclic ring; each R^(6a) is independentlyselected from: —OR⁸, —NR⁷S(O)_(m)R⁷, —NO₂, halogen, —S(O)_(m)R⁷, —SR⁸,—S(O)₂OR⁷, —OS(O)₂R⁸, —S(O)_(m)NR⁷R⁵, —NR⁷R⁸, —O(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)NR⁷R⁸,—C(O)R⁷, —CO₂R⁵, —CO₂(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)CONR⁷R⁸, —OC(O)R⁷, —CN, —C(O)NR⁷R⁸,—NR⁷C(O)R⁸, —OC(O)NR⁷R⁸, —NR⁷C(O)OR⁸, —NR⁷C(O)NR⁷R⁸, —CR⁷(N—OR⁸), —CF₂,—CF₃, —OCF₂, and —OCF₃, each R^(6b) is independently selected from:R^(6a), C₁₋₁₀alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, heteroaryl, andheteroaryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl; R⁷ and R⁸ are independently selected from:hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkyl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl; heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, aryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl, and heteroaryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl, wherein alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclyl are each unsubstituted orsubstituted with at least one substituent independently selected fromR^(6a), and aryl and heteroaryl are each unsubstituted or substitutedwith at least one substituent independently selected from R^(6b); or R⁷and R⁸ together with the atom(s) to which they are attached form aheterocyclic ring of 4 to 7 members containing 0, 1, or 2 additionalheteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, sulfur and NR¹¹, each R⁷and R⁸ may be unsubstituted or substituted on a carbon or nitrogen atomwith at least one substituent selected from R¹²; R⁹ and R¹⁰ areindependently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl—C₁₋₁₀alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl, andheteroaryl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl; or R⁹ and R¹⁰ together with the carbon to whichthey are attached form a ring of 3 to 7 members containing 0, 1, or 2heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen;each R¹¹ is independently selected from: hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-C₁₋₄alkyl, aryl, aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl,—S(O)_(m)R⁷, —C(O)R⁷, —CO₂R⁷, —CO₂(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)CONR⁷R⁸, and —C(O)NR⁷R⁸;each R¹² is independently selected from: halogen, C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈ cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl,aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, —OR⁷,—NR⁷S(O)_(m)R⁸, —S(O)_(m)R⁷, —SR⁷, —S(O)₂OR⁷, —OS(O)₂R⁷, —S(O)_(m)NR⁷R⁸,—NR⁷R⁸, —O(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)NR⁷R⁸, —C(O)R⁷, —CO₂R⁸, —CO²(CR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)CONR⁷R⁸,—OC(O)R⁷, —CN, —C(O)NR⁷R⁸, —NR⁷C(O)R⁸, —OC(O)NR⁷R⁸, —NR⁷C(O)OR⁸,—NR⁷C(O)NR⁷R⁸, —CF₂, —CF₃, —OCF₂, and —OCF₃; L is a linker selectedfrom: —CR⁷R⁸—, —O—, —NR⁷—, —S—, —SO—, and —SO₂—; m is selected from 1and 2; and n is selected from 1, 2, and
 3. 2. At least one compound ofclaim 1, and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,wherein L is —CR⁷R⁸—.
 3. At least one compound of claim 2, and/or atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein at least oneof R⁷ and R⁸ is hydrogen.
 4. At least one compound of claim 2, and/or atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein each of R⁷and R⁸ is hydrogen.
 5. At least one compound of claim 1, and/or at leastone pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R² is alkyl.
 6. Atleast one compound of claim 5, and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, wherein R² is methyl.
 7. At least one compoundof claim 1, and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, wherein R¹ is aryl optionally substituted with at least onesubstituent independently selected from R^(6b).
 8. At least one compoundof claim 7, and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, wherein R¹ is phenyl optionally substituted with at least onesubstituent independently selected from R^(6b).
 9. At least one compoundof claim 8, and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, wherein R¹ is phenyl, optionally substituted with at least onesubstituent selected from halogen and cyano.
 10. At least one compoundof claim 9, and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, wherein R¹ is selected from 2-cyanophenyl,2-chloro-5-fluorophenyl, 2-cyano-5-fluorophenyl, and2-bromo-5-fluorophenyl.
 11. At least one compound of claim 1, and/or atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R³ ishydrogen.
 12. At least one compound of claim 1, and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R⁴ is hydrogen.
 13. Atleast one compound of claim 1, and/or at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen.
 14. At least onecompound selected from(R)-2-((3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)benzonitrile;(R)-3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-4-(2-bromo-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one;(R)-2-(3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-6-methyl-5-oxo-1,2,4-triazin-4(5H)-yl)methyl)-4-fluorobenzonitrile;and(R)-3-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-4-(2-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one,and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 15. Apharmaceutical composition which comprises at least one compound ofclaim 1, and/or at least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 16. A method oftreating a condition responsive to inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-IVenzyme comprising administering to a patient in recognized need thereofan effective amount of at least one compound of claim 1, and/or at leastone pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 17. A method for treatinga condition selected from insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and type IIdiabetes comprising administering to a patient in recognized needthereof an effective amount of at least one compound of claim 1, and/orat least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 18. Apharmaceutical composition which comprises at least one compound and/orat least one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof of claim 14, andat least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 19. A method oftreating a condition responsive to inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-IVenzyme comprising administering to a patient in recognized need thereofan effective amount of at least one compound and/or at least onepharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof of claim
 14. 20. A method fortreating a condition selected from insulin resistance, hyperglycemia,and type II diabetes comprising administering to a patient in recognizedneed thereof an effective amount of at least one compound, and/or atleast one pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof of claim 14.